卜卦占星选日子
ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
http://www.sarahsastrology.com/page18.htm
Electional astrology is a technique used to select the most favourable time for an event such as a marriage, starting a business or moving into a new home. It's usually used for something important and not for trivial matters.
There are two techniques that can be used in electional astrology. One technique is to treat the chart for the event as a transit chart and compare it with the birth chart for the person or people who will be involved in the event; the interpretation for this technique is similar to the technique used in synastry. The other technique is to treat the chart of the event as the birth chart for the event; the event is interpreted in a similar method as the interpretation for a birth chart where the event has its own personality.
RULES FOR ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
1) Only applying aspects should be used.
2) Orbs are not used if the aspect is applying.
3) The Moon is the primary constideration in a n electional chart. It can be used to time events and is treated like the Sun in a birth chart.
4) It's best to keep Mars and Uranus away from the angles and angular houses. Mars can indicate conflict and Uranus can indicate unexpected or unpredictable occurances.
5) The most appropriate rising sign for the matter in question should be chosen, such as Sagittarius for foreign travel.
6) The Moon during its perigee is travelling faster that at its apogee. For anything that needs to happen quickly choose a time when the Moon is in perigee. Anything that you want to last for a long time choose a time when the Moon is in apogee. (See my astrology dictionary on the website for more information about apogee and perigee).
7) When the Moon is travelling from new to full increases the speed of matters associated with the event. Avoid 12 degrees after the New Moon and 12 degrees after th Full Moon as this time is considered unfavourable.
8) The next lunar aspect after the action has been taken shows the outcome of the event.
9) The sign where the Moon is located shows the type of activity which is favourable at the time for the event.
10) Avoid planet placements at 0 degrees or 29 degrees of any sign as there can be confusion or disorientation, unless it moves into a sign it's compatible with such as Uranus in Aquarius.
11) Avoid any square aspects with the Moon as this can show emotional tension and frustration with matters represented by the planet the Moon is in aspect with.
12) Do not choose a time when the Moon is void of course as the event may fail or be abandoned, there may be obstacles that can't be overcome or the event may never be initiated.
13) The Moon should not be in a major applying aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition) to a retrograde planet as there can be a severe restriction of progress.
14) Avoid a time when the Moon is in Scorpio (its fall) or when the Moon is in Capricorn (its detriment). You may also want to avoid a time when the Moon is Via Combusta (between 15 degrees Libra and 15 degrees Scorpio) as it is considered a detrimental location for the Moon to be located in an electional chart.
15) The first planet the Moon is in applying aspect to has a strong influence on the event.
16) Unless Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are favourably located or associated with the matter in question it's best to keep their contact with the Moon and with the ruling planet of the chart to a minimum.
17) The Moon should not be placed on the Ascendant.
PLANETS IN ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
SUN: Places of gambling; jewellery shop; gives strength.
MOON: Moon in square aspect causes problems, in conjunction it's less of a problem than the square. Moon in inconjunct shows a need for change or reorganisation.
A waxing Moon (increasing in size) is favourable for growth.
A void of course Moon shows a lack of action.
The waning Moon is favourable for reducing debt.
MERCURY: Communication.
When Mercury is retrograde it's unfavourable for moving house, signing contracts or surgery due to potential errors in communication.
VENUS: Artistic pursuits; creativity.
When Venus is in retrograde it's not favourable for weddings, social occasions, buying expensive or luxury items, or for cosmetic surgery.
MARS: If a battle is planned Mars needs to be well aspected.
When Mars is in retrograde there may be problems with machinery or cars. It's unfavourable for surgery as the outcome won't be what was desired.
JUPITER: Extravagance: if well aspected shows good fortune and luck.
SATURN: Discipline; organisation; delays; limitations; responsibility; building; administration.
The best house for Saturn to be placed is in a cadent house, unfavourable in an angular house.
Saturn is very influential in an electional chart for a business venture.
If more responsibility is to be accepted it's important that Saturn is well aspected.
URANUS: Unique ventures; inventions; computers; innovation; air travel.
Unless Uranus is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
NEPTUNE: Creativity; illusion; deception; fraud; cinemas; escapism.
Unless Neptune is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
PLUTO: Hidden matters; elimination; death.
Unless Pluto is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
Electional astrology for advertising
The electional chart is created for the moment the advert or advertising campaign has been launched.
A waxing Moon is favourable for the advert to capture public attention.
Avoid Mercury retrograde.
Avoid the void of course Moon.
It's favourable for the Moon to be in good aspect with a planet which is most closely representative of the object of the advert.
Electional astrology for buying a car
The electional chart is for when the payment has been made.
If the car is to be kept for a long time the Moon should be in a fixed sign.
The ascendant represents the buyer and the descendant represents the seller.
Rulers of the 2nd house and 3rd house in sextile or trine to the ascendant can show a good purchase.
Venus in sextile or trine to the ascendant is a favourable time to buy a luxury car unless Venus is retrograde.
Mars in retrograde is an unfavourable time to buy a car; it may have mechanical problems.
Electional astrology for buying and selling land or property
The electional chart is valid from the moment an offer to buy has been made, or the moment land or property is available for sale.
When buying land or property the ascendant represents the buyer, the descendant represents the seller.
A sextile or trine between planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant shows a favourable transaction between the buyer and seller. A square or opposition between the planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant can show difficulties and potential conflict with the transaction.
When selling land or property the ascendant represents the seller and the descendant represents the buyer.
Avoid a time when the Moon is void of course.
The 4th house represents the land or property.
When buying land or property the ascendant in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) is favourable unless a quick resale is desired.
When selling the ascendant in a cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) is favourable for a quick sale.
Electional astrology for conception (fertility)
Female fertility may be at its highest when the transiting Moon is at the same distance from the Sun where it is located in her birth chart.
The Moon square to the ascendant, Mars, Saturn or Uranus are unfavourable for conception.
The Moon in a feminine sign at the time of conception increases the chances of a female baby.
The Moon in a masculine sign at the time of conception increases the chances of a male baby.
The Moon opposite Saturn is unfavourable for conception.
Electional astrology for contests
The Moon applying in conjunction, trine or sextile to the planetary rulers of the ascendant or 5th house favour the champion or home team winning.
If the Moon is applying in conjunction, trine or sextile to the planetary rulers of the descendant or 11th house favours the challenger or away team to win.
The 1st house and ascendant represent the home team or the defending champion; the significator for the home team or defending champion is the planetary ruler of the ascendant.
The 7th house and descendant represent the away team or the challenger; the significator for the away team or challenger is the planetary ruler of the descendant.
The 5th house rules speculation and represents the cahances of the home team or defending champion of winning.
The 10th house represents the status of the home team or defending champion.
The 11th house represents the chance of the away team or challenger winning.
Electional astrology for horse racing
The chart is created for the exact time and place for the start of the race.
Due to the number of horses in the race interpretation can be complicated. The planet closest to the ascendant or MC represents the winner unless it is in an unfavourable placing. The name of the horse and colours the jockey is wearing are indicated by the planet closest to an angle.
A planet in conjunction to the ascendant or the MC has a stronger influence than a planet in conjunction to the descendant or IC.
If there is no planet that is close to an angle a planet in an angular house can be used. The angular houses are the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses; the 1st house has the strongest influence followed by the 10th house, then the 4th house.
The Sun, Venus and Jupiter in conjunction with the ascendant or MC can indicate the favourite or the horses with shorter odds that are likely to win.
Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in conjunction with the ascendant or MC can show the outsider or horses with longer odds are likely to win.
The Moon can favour favourites or outsiders according to what the rest of the chart indicates.
A planet in conjunction with the descendant or IC can favour horses that are not favourites or outsiders.
Electional astrology for a job interview
Usually the person seeking a job is unable to choose the time of the job interview.
The Moon in square aspect is unfavourable.
If the ascendant and the planetary ruler of the ascendant are strongly placed their influence is favourable.
Venus and Jupiter in the 1st house are favourable.
The 6th house represents the job.
The ascendant in sextile or trine to the 6th house cusp can be favourable.
The ascendant or planetary ruler of the ascendant in sextile or trine to the MC or MC planetary ruler can indicate a positive interaction at the interview.
The Aries ascendant can increase assertiveness; Gemini ascendant can increase mental alertness; Leo ascendant can increase confidence; Virgo ascendant can increase attention to detail; Libra increases diplomacy; Capricorn ascendant can increase the ability to be efficient: Aquarius ascendant increases the ability to grasp new concepts and the Pisces ascendant increases the ability to be imaginative.
Electional astrology for legal action
To initiate legal action the ascendant, Mars and Pluto should be favourably placed and aspected.
The ascendant in Aries or Scorpio are favourable.
The planetary ruler of the ascendant should be stronger than the planetary ruler of the descendant.
The descendant and the 7th house represent the opponent.
The 2nd house represents personal resources to be used for or are affected by legal action.
The 3rd house represents written statements and communication.
Saturn in the 12th house can show unwanted obstacles during legal proceedings possibly created by those with a hidden agenda.
Electional astrology for marriage and civil partnership
The electional chart is for the moment the ceremony has started.
Venus can represent the bride and Mars can represent the groom in a heterosexual relationship. In a homosexual relationship Mars can represent the partner who is most dominant in the relationship, Venus can represent the other partner. The Sun and Moon can also be used to represent both partners in a relationship; where the Sun is used instead of Mars and the Moon is used instead of Venus.
It's favourable for the marriage if Venus and Mars are in sextile or trine to each other.
Venus should be in sextile or trine with the ascendant or descendant.
The Moon in Scorpio should be avoided as the Moon is in its fall and can show possessiveness and secretiveness in the marriage.
Mars in the 2nd house can show arguments about money.
The ascendant shows the character of the marriage or civil partnership.
Saturn can bring limitations and delays. If's unfavourable in angular houses and is best placed in cadent houses.
Conjunctions to Saturn show misunderstandings, feelings of sadness and neglect.
Uranus should be kept out of the 1st house and 7th house to avoid unexpected events that can affect the wedding, especially the people in the marriage or civil partnership.
Avoid square aspects to the Moon.
Avoid a void of course Moon.
A waxing Moon is more favourable than a waning Moon.
The ascendant in a fixed sign is favourable for a long lasting marriage.
The Sun and Moon should be in sextile or trine with each other.
The planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant should be in sextile or trine with each other to have a favourable influence on the relationship.
Venus in retrograde is unfavourable for marrige or civil partnerships.
The Moon in Leo is favourable for strong and well matched couples.
The Moon in Libra is favourable for harmony and balance in the relationship.
Mars in the 7th house is unfavourable for a partnership, there can be passion but there may also be arguments.
An Aries ascendant can indicate a short lived relationship, possibly due to selfishness.
A Cancer ascendant shows a nurturing relationship which may also be suffocating.
A Libra ascendant shows fairness and harmony in a marriage or civil partnership.
A Scorpio ascendant can show passion, possessiveness and jealousy in the relationship.
A Pisces ascendant can show romance but there may also be deception.
Electional astrology for medical issues
When the Moon is in the sign ruling the relevant part of the body it can be favourable for non-surgical procedures but unfavourable for surgical procedures.
Avoid square aspects to the Moon.
Surgery should be avoided on a Full Moon.
A waning Moon is favourable for surgery.
A void of course Moon is favourable for tests where it is hoped that no serious illness will be diagnosed.
Usually a void of course Moon should be avoided for surgery.
Mercury in retrograde is unfavourable for surgery; it's possible some or all of it may have to be redone.
Mars in retrograde has a detrimental influence on surgery. It indicates there may be difficulties with the surgery or it may not have the desired outcome.
The Sun shows physical strength.
Sextiles and trines to the Sun, Moon, ascendant, planetary ruler of the 8th house and the planet ruling the relevant part of the body have a beneficial influence for surgery.
Any square aspects to Saturn can indicate long term problems and a slow recovery.
Any square aspects to Neptune can show potential problems with anaesthetic, medication or infection.
The New Moon and 5 days before and after the New Moon are favourable for surgery, especially to keep pain and blood loss to a minimum.
The Full Moon and 5 days before and after the Full Moon are unfavourable for surgery as it's easier to feel pain and lose blood.
Electional astrology for moving home
Moving into a new home starts when the first object is moved into the new home.
The Moon is the primary consideration.
Opposition, square and inconjunct aspects should be avoided.
The void of course Moon should be avoided.
The planetary ruler of the ascendant should be in conjunction, sextile or trine with the planetary ruler of the 4th house.
If the new home is not rented and the person or people moving home want to stay there for a long time the ascendant should be in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).
Do not move home when Mercury or Venus are in retrograde.
Mars in the 4th house can show there will be arguments and accidents.
Saturn in the 4th house can show unhappiness and potential loneliness.
Uranus in the 4th house can indicate unexpected events, especially associated with electricity.
Pluto in the 1st house can indicate a stressful and intense experience when moving home.
Electional astrology for starting a business
Home based businesses can be represented by the 4th house.
Business partnerships can be represented by the 1st house and the 7th house.
Delivery businesses are represented by the 3rd house.
A business starts when it starts trading.
Lunar square aspects and the void of course Moon should be avoided.
A waxing Moon is favourable for the growth of the business, a waning Moon is unfavourable for the growth of the business.
The ascendant (ASC) describes the person who owns the business.
The MC (midheaven) describes the business.
It's best if the planet that represents the business is prominent and well aspected.
Venus retrograde and the time when the planet ruling the business is retrograde should be avoided.
Mercury retrograde should be avoided, especially if there a legal documents that require a signature.
The Sun in the 2nd house is favourable for making money.
The Sun in the 10th house is favourable for enhancing the reputation of the business.
The ascendant in trine with the north node shows a positive fated business move or decision.
When the planet that rules the sign where the MC is located is in the 3rd house it has a favourable influence for a business that is based on the distribution of information.
The planet that rules the ascendant or the MC is in conjunction with the 9th house cusp shows potential interest from foreign customers.
Saturn is very influential and should be well placed.
Saturn should be kept away from the angles (ASC, MC,DESC, IC) unless the business is ruled by Saturn, or is owned by a single individual.
Hard aspects (square, opposition) from the Sun, Moon, Saturn, planetary ruler of the MC to Neptune or Pluto can show the new business may fail rapidly.
The 1st house is the public image of the business.
The 2nd house shows the ability the business has to earn money.
The 3rd house shows the environment near the business and communication.
The 4th house shows the head quarters for the business.
The 5th house represents creativity and entertainment.
The 6th house represents the health of the business and chores.
The 7th house represents the public and customers.
The 8th house represents money from the customers.
The 9th house shows foreign travel and international trade.
The 10th house shows the reputation of the business, aims and achievements.
The 11th house represents people who are allies to the business.
The 12th house can show work behind the scenes.
Moon in Aries is favourable for a taking the intiative to start a business.
Moon in Taurus for stable and steady financial gain.
Moon in Gemini isfavourable for a business based on communication but not a business that requires routine and repitition.
Moon in Cancer for a business based on caring for people.
Moon in Leo for a business that requires a bold approach and will attract attention from the public. Good for businesses in entertainment.
Moon in Virgo is favourable for businesses that require attention to detail.
Moon in Libra is favourable for legal firms and businesses in the beauty industry.
Moon in Scorpio for businesses associated with birth, sex or death.
Moon in Sagittarius for businesses associated with foreign travel.
Moon in Capricorn for starting a business to fulfil own ambitions and to attain success through hard work and discipline.
Moon in Aquarius for unconventional businesses or businesses that require inventive ideas.
Moon in Pisces for businesses based on creative work.
Electional astrology for starting an organisation
An electional chart for an organisation is created for the time when the organisation is formed.
When an organisation exists any member of it, whether they are a board member or the chairperson is represented by the ascendant.
Square aspects to the Moon and the void of course Moon should be avoided.
The waxing Moon is favourable, the waning Moon is unfavourable.
Saturn in the 6th house can show people who work for or volunteer are likely to work hard for the organisation.
An Aquarius ascendant is favourable for astrological associations.
The 1st house shows people who are part of the organisation and the character of the organisation.
The 2nd house shows the finances of the organisation and what it values.
The 3rd house shows the environment around the organisation and how it communicates.
The 4th house shows how the organisation functions at its head quarters.
The 5th house can show creative activity.
The 6th house represents the volunteers and workers of an organisation.
The 7th house shows competitors and legal affairs.
The 8th house shows losses and gains through death or resignation, investments and it can also represent the treasurer of an organisation.
The 9th house represents long distance communication and travel as well as foreign affairs.
The 10th house represents the organisation, the person or people in a position of authority in the organisation.
The 11th house shows allies and associates of the organisation.
The 12th house can show hidden opposition to the organisation as well as work behind the scenes.
An Introduction to Electional Astrology
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY JOANN HAMPAR ON JULY 27, 2010
POSTED UNDER ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
Electional astrology is utilized in choosing the most appropriate time to begin something. The intent is to achieve a successful outcome, and the rules applied are very specifically set toward that end. Many of the rules have their foundation in horary astrology, the counterpart to this work. Horary astrology is the art of answering a question by analysis of a chart drawn for the precise moment of the question. Within the horary chart lies the answer to the question, and all circumstances surrounding the matter. Unlike horary, which answers after the fact, electional astrology approaches the matter beforehand and "elects" an appropriate time to achieve a desired outcome. Though the rules are the same, they are applied differently.
The election chart itself is drawn for the place where the event will occur at a certain time in the future. At its best, an election chart will make use of the most beneficial planetary alignments on any given day. Since the Moon is of primary importance in all election work, she is given precedence, though the rulers of the elected matter are also considered. The Moon's applying aspects, describe the unfolding of the electional matter. The Sun and Moon in good alignment will always enhance the election, and contribute to a successful outcome.
The elected time is the exact moment chosen to begin something. It is calculated to give you an advantage in the matter. The time selected has a twofold purpose. Primary is to strengthen the person initiating the action. This person is always shown by the first house and the Moon. Secondary is to strengthen the house of the electional matter. The house is determined by the main theme of the election. In considering the correct time, one must keep in mind the moment of finality. This is when there is no longer control in the matter, and it is out of your hands. The statement "I now pronounce you man and wife" at the conclusion of a marriage ceremony, is an example of finality. The election time should correspond with the pronouncement and not with the beginning of the ceremony. Up until that moment, either party can back out. If signing important documents to be returned by mail, finality occurs when the papers are dropped into the mailbox. Until they have left your possession, there is still control in the matter. It is not always easy to determine the moment of finality so a good rule of thumb is to recognize when something is no longer within your control. Often it is when you have taken the first step to set the matter in motion, but not always.
Both the natural ruler and the natal ruler of the election matter are considered in setting up an election chart. However, the natural ruler is the primary consideration. The natural ruler is the planet corresponding with the subject of the election. For example, every election pertaining to marriage, or relationship matters should feature a strong and well-placed Venus. This is the primary consideration, although the ruler of the seventh house is also considered. Ideally, an election for marriage would feature a strong Venus, a healthy Moon, and favorable aspects to the ruler of the natal seventh house. Likewise, the signing of important papers requires a sound Mercury. Business matters benefit when Saturn, Jupiter and the Sun are well aligned. It is always beneficial to strengthen the natural rulers of an electional matter.
The next consideration is the house ruling the electional matter. This is the house corresponding with the main theme of the election. It is necessary to strengthen the house of the matter, and link it favorably with the first house. The seventh house is the house of marriage, and the tenth, the house of business. In a marriage election, we want positive aspects between the rulers of the first and seventh houses. In a business election, positive aspects between the rulers of the first and tenth houses are needed.
We can begin by looking for days with positive aspects between the Moon, and the planet ruling the electional matter. Only applying aspects are considered in electional astrology as once an aspect is separating the opportunity is over. The Moon is allowed all applying aspects until she leaves the sign she is in. In other words, the Moon is not confined to an orb of influence. Each applying aspect will describe something about the unfolding of the electional matter. The final aspect of the Moon shows the outcome of the election, and is a major consideration. A positive last aspect is very important if the elected matter is to end well.
To a great extent electional work is subject to certain time constraints. Therefore, it is vital to fortify the Moon. Begin by looking for days when she is making mostly positive aspects. Her waxing phase favors growth, and she should be strong by sign, and ideally making no difficult aspects to the Sun or to the planet ruling the matter of the election. The Moon's waning phase favors consolidation, and is appropriate when bringing matters to completion. Moon void-of-course is to be avoided when selecting an election date. Actions taken when the Moon is void will not turn out as planned. In horary astrology, if a question is posed when the Moon is void of course, the astrologer can say 'nothing of consequence will come of the matter'. The Moon is making no contact with the planets and therefore, no action ensues. The same applies to the election chart.
The Ascendant ruler should be strong, in good aspect with the Moon, and with the planet ruling the electional matter. The first house and its ruling planet always represent the person who initiates the action, and should be free from affliction. It is necessary to have a positive applying aspect between the planet ruling the first house person, and the planet ruling the house of the elected matter. If there is no contact, no action will ensue. The Moon is always a co-ruler of the first house person and can be used to connect the two.
Try to keep the difficult planets away from the Ascendant and out of the first quadrant. Difficult planets in the first quadrant can interfere with the momentum of the elected matter. Saturn may cause delay or require tremendous effort to overcome. Uranus usually presents an unexpected problem or a disruptive influence. Neptune may indicate a lack of information, misinformation or bad judgment. With Pluto something needs to be eliminated before the matter can proceed.
Also try to avoid a retrograde significator. This is the planet representing any significant person or matter in the election chart. A retrograde condition is weak and may not function well.
The quality of the signs on the angles should favor the election chart. Cardinal signs support quick action and taking the initiative. Fixed signs support endurance. They are particularly desirable for long-term commitments, such as marriage, or for projects where longevity is vital. Mutable signs encourage change, and are helpful when flexibility is needed.
The Part of Fortune is considered favorable, especially if placed in the house ruling the matter of the election. It is also helpful when conjunct the ascendant. It acts like a benefic planet and can play a significant role. It is however, not well placed in the eighth or twelfth house, unless your election pertains to one of those houses. In either house it is considered the part of misfortune.
The mutual reception of two planets enables the respective planets to change signs, and therefore change positions. This occurs when two planets are in each other’s signs. The two planets in mutual reception cooperate with one another, and this lends flexibility and versatility to the matter at hand. It is similar to a conjunction in that the two planets work together as one.
The critical degrees 0° and 29° should be avoided. An angle or planet in critical degree operates at a disadvantage. The person or matter represented is either premature or too late, respectively. The malefic degrees should also be avoided. They are 24º Taurus, 29º Taurus and 19º Scorpio. The person or matter represented by a planet in one of these degrees is unstable.
The natal chart of the individual plays a key role in the success of an election. The birth chart will show one's predisposition in all matters, and should support the focus of the election. The birth chart will affirm whether the goal is realistic.
We also examine the current planetary cycles for confirmation that the election is attainable. They will help us determine whether the overall timing is favorable. In particular, we are most interested in the Saturn cycle. Saturn's transits to the natal chart correlate with obstacles in achieving one's goals. If Saturn is making difficult aspects to the Sun, for instance, it can be quite difficult to succeed with business matters. It is certainly easier to have success with electional astrology if the current cycles agree with the intent of the election. However, an election chart does stand on its own, and should always reflect the best time to support the desired outcome.
EDITOR'S CHOICE ARTICLES April/May 2001 Issue
Electional Astrology
The Fine Art of Seizing the Moment
by Steven Forrest
“We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?”
I hear that message on my answering machine at least once a month. People with the slightest openness to astrology seem to know that certain moments in time are more auspicious than others. They are right. For any major undertaking, it’s wise to consider “planning its birth” through the judicious use of Electional astrology. Any action that we volunteer for and exercise authority over in terms of timing is fair game. Getting married. Opening a business. Leaving on a trip.
When am I likely to meet the sort of person whom I might choose to marry? That’s not an Electional question — that’s in the domain of transits and progressions. Should I get married? No, that’s not Electional territory either — again, use transits and progressions, along with the birth chart, to find the answer. Should I marry this particular person? Use synastry and perhaps Horary techniques. Many people get confused about the differences between Horary and Electional astrology, so it’s important to be clear about them. In a nutshell, Horary is about whether you should do something, and Electional is about when to do something that you’ve already decided to do.
We use Electional astrology for only one reason: to time the beginning of an action to which we are already committed. It is tactical astrology, in other words, not strategic astrology. We’ve figured out what we are going to do. We just want to know when to make the move to bring the most “luck” to bear upon the situation.
It works powerfully. Ronald Reagan’s astrologer, Joan Quigley, used this technique extensively for Reagan during his presidency. The media couldn’t ignore his incredible “luck.” Of course, they ridiculed astrology when the truth emerged about its influence on Reagan. The media’s more “objective” explanation was that he was coated with Teflon.
So, back to our question: “We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?” Everyone with an IQ above the price of dinner knows that it takes a lot of sanity, patience, and commitment to make a marriage work. Common sense dictates that even the “best” chart in the world cannot create happiness between two people who are fundamentally incompatible, ambivalent about the commitment, or simply not psychologically or spiritually ready. Which leads us to Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it; it does not override the basic principles of natural law or common sense.
What constitutes happiness in a marriage? For a very mild couple, “never fighting” might be a legitimate ideal. A standard kind of “good” chart might work for them — lots of trines and sextiles, a big glorious Venus ruling a Libra Ascendant. But what if two Plutonian types are getting married? Would they want that kind of marriage? Probably not. With marriage, or any other truly epochal existential undertaking, an effective modern astrologer seeks to understand precisely the goals of the individuals involved and does not succumb to the platitudinous assumptions about “good” charts that we’ve inherited from the literature. A “good” chart can lack dynamism; it can be boring. Which leads us to Principle Number Two: Although Electional astrology can shape and flavor outcomes, to use it wisely, we must know specifically what kind of outcome is desired by the client.
I’ve been asked on many occasions to pick a moment for entering a lottery or a contest. Personally, I’m not very interested in that kind of astrology, but Electional techniques can be used this way. I’ve never been successful at helping a client to win a contest, nor do I really expect to be. The odds are just too long. I have no doubt that I have boosted the client’s chances of winning — from ten million to one … all the way up to maybe a million to one. Which leads us to Principle Number Three: A realistic, non-astrological assessment of simple probabilities is essential for keeping perspective about Electional astrology.
If someone asked me to elect an auspicious moment to steal money, ethics would obviously forbid my doing so. Say, for the sake of argument, that I did it anyway and that the person got away with the crime. This raises ethical and metaphysical questions. (If the ethical ones stump you, please stop reading this article and consider a career in politics!) But metaphysically, we get into some very complex terrain with Electional astrology. Stealing money sets cosmic wheels turning. Astrology may help us to dodge the consequences this year or even in this lifetime, but in the end those consequences will catch up with us. So Electional work can actually create karma.
The best Electional work can also be undone by previous karma. If it is important for you to be single in this lifetime, for evolutionary reasons, a marriage performed under a fine marital Electional chart will still probably come undone. This is philosophical territory, and I certainly honor your right to your own attitudes and beliefs. I do encourage you to think deeply about these questions before launching into a serious study of Electional astrology. Which leads us to Principle Number Four: With Electional astrology, we are practicing magic, pure and simple. We are playing with the natural laws of karma and the universe. It is wise to do so cautiously and consciously.
“When is the best time this evening to brush my teeth?” Well, yes — you could actually do valid Electional astrology on that pithy question. Make sure the 6th house and its ruler are strong, and so on. But down that road lies madness. Which leads us to Principle Number Five: The effectiveness of Electional astrology is most marked when it is applied to the truly pivotal strategies of one’s life.
Choosing the Date
When choosing the date for an action astrologically, we are selecting the moment for an action to be born. Once our goals are clear, we pick the chart that seems to support them most effectively. We let the action take its “first breath” at a moment we have chosen with specific intentions and outcomes in mind. You wouldn’t want a big adventure to be born with a timid, reflective chart. You wouldn’t want a meditation retreat to be born with a noisy, chaotic chart — which might be the perfect one for a wild party.
In practical terms, there will usually be a time limit involved. “I need to open my business sometime in the month of April.” “We want to go to Europe this spring.” Once you’ve gotten that information from a client, you have determined the first and last days when the action might be undertaken. That’s your scope of inquiry. Your task is to pick the strongest moment of time within that framework.
Naturally, the wider the range of time the client provides, the more powerful this technique becomes — you simply have more choices. Conversely, suppose the client says: “We’re getting married next Saturday afternoon — is that okay?” Under those circumstances, you should probably just congratulate the happy couple and change the subject. For Electional astrology to work, you need some breathing room.
I’ve often ranted in these pages about the foolishness of thinking in terms of “good” and “bad” aspects in the charts of individuals. Cancer always loves Scorpio? Give me a break! Capricorn always has trouble with Aries? Ha! Give them a joint project and stand back. Still, in Electional astrology, we actually err in the direction of thinking in terms of traditional “good” and “bad” aspects. Generally, when people set out to achieve a goal, they would prefer fewer obstacles rather than many. Thus, it is wise to emphasize trines and sextiles and to be cautious about oppositions and squares — although I would quickly add that the latter have their uses. They often represent strengths that are forged in experiences that test our mettle. For a marriage between two conscious people with a strong evolutionary orientation, I wouldn’t be unduly concerned by some “hard” aspects in a wedding chart. For a fun adventure trip to Europe or South America, though, give me trines and sextiles — I don’t want the bus to break down for ten days in some backwater, nor do I want my passport stolen.
Here’s the first step: If someone is planning a wedding, the planet Venus obviously plays a central role in the considerations. I’d immediately scan the ephemeris for days when Venus is involved in trines or sextiles. That is the key, very simply. Pick the planet connected to the person’s intention. Find the times during the period you are considering when that planet is most strongly supported by aspects to other planets. Then, build your possible Electional charts around those days.
When beginning a major project, look for a strong, well-supported Saturn. Speculation or risk? Jupiter. Starting an educational or literary endeavor? Mercury. An adventure? Mars — and, ideally, Jupiter too. Domestic or familial actions? The Moon. Creative work? Venus and Neptune. Psychotherapy or a necessary confrontation? Pluto.
As we will soon see, Electional astrology is complex. Venus might be looking great, but other, darker factors could eclipse the Venusian possibilities on those days. You will hardly ever find a chart that feels truly “perfect.” You do hope to find one that looks significantly better than any of the other possibilities. In a moment, we’ll mention some of those darker factors. Right now, let’s continue with the heart of the technique: finding the planet that naturally rules the action and making it as strong as possible in the chart for the moment the enterprise begins.
Say Venus passes through a trine to Jupiter during the period a couple is considering for their wedding. That’s obviously a merry discovery. The more exact the Venus–Jupiter aspect is, the stronger its action will be, so it would be desirable to schedule the wedding close to the day of exactitude. But practical issues may intervene — most people would prefer their wedding to be on a weekend rather than on a Tuesday, for example. Everything else being equal, an applying aspect is stronger than a separating one; it’s better to choose the weekend before the aspect is exact than the one following it.
Various factors might vex this simple scenario, but let’s continue to assume a “best case” situation. You’re electing a wedding date, and you have a strong Venus–Jupiter interaction as the basis of your timing. Any wedding occurring during those few days will be supported by a powerful harmonious aspect. Chances are good that you’ve found the basis of the chart you will eventually choose. You’ve narrowed it down to a period of several days.
Choosing the Minute
Within those few days when Venus is applying to the trine of Jupiter, which minute represents the peak of the energy? Our aim is to make that Venus–Jupiter energy as central to the chart as possible. The aspect will be exact at a certain moment on a certain day, but that is probably not your answer. The practical key is to realize that the daily transits of the planets around the horizon put them either in the spotlight or in the background, minute by minute. Any planet is strongest when it is in an angular house (the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th), especially when it is actually conjunct an angle — rising, setting, culminating, or crossing the lower Meridian. Perhaps you can place either Venus or Jupiter on an angle, thus strengthening the planet.
Planets also have specific house rulerships — Mercury loves being in the 3rd house, but Saturn isn’t so excited about it. Venus would love to be in the 7th house, of course, though Jupiter prefers the 9th.
Furthermore, the planetary ruler of the Ascendant is always a critical factor. If you want to emphasize Venus, choosing a chart with Libra or Taurus rising will accomplish that. If Sagittarius or Pisces is rising, Jupiter would be very energized.
Say that Saturn is currently squaring Jupiter. You will want to use that Venus–Jupiter trine as the basis of your Electional chart, but you don’t like that hard aspect from Saturn. Both of those planets are fairly slow, so waiting for the square to break up might not be a realistic option — the couple is eager to be married in the spring. If you were to elect a chart with Capricorn rising, Saturn then becomes the chart ruler, and you’ve really emphasized the problem — not a good move. So, having Venus-ruled Libra or Taurus on the Ascendant would be a better choice. The same can be said for having Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius or Pisces there. Tuck Saturn into the background as much as possible.
You’ll notice that I am using the traditional rulerships. Our modern love of Neptune as the ruler of Pisces has eclipsed our sensitivity to Jupiter’s association with the sign. In practice, my recommendation is to think in terms of “co-rulership.” If Pisces is on the Ascendant, then both Neptune and Jupiter are emphasized.
In a nutshell, choose a day that looks strong because of some fundamental supportive planetary aspect involving the planet that is most closely associated with the action being considered. Then juggle the time (and thus the Ascendant and planetary house placements) to make that planet as central as possible to the chart, meanwhile doing your best to minimize the impact of anything that looks dicey.
The Role of the Computer
As in all things astrological, apart from chart interpretation itself, the computer is a blessing in Electional work. You can easily set up charts on screen, adjusting the time until you see something that works. Most modern programs also have a Rectification module, which is very helpful in the Electional process. This allows you to adjust the chart quickly, going forward or backward on the screen in increments of hours and minutes.
Of course, the whole process can also be done with an ephemeris, a Table of Houses, and plenty of patience.
Bad Moon Rising
We’ve just covered the core process of Electional astrology. In the end, you will probably discover a few periods of a few days each, when the door seems to be open for an action. You will also come up with a variety of specific times on those days when the Ascendant and planetary house placements all look encouraging.
How should we choose among these days and times? To answer that question, we need to go deeper into the Electional process. Then, we will learn that other factors come into play — some of these can potentially turn your Gold Medal chart into a catastrophe, leading you to fall back on your Silver or your Bronze.
The Moon plays such a dominant role in Electional astrology that it can effectively rule out a chart that otherwise looks perfect. You simply cannot ignore the Moon. The most critical concept here is perhaps the notion of the Moon being void of course. This refers to a situation where the Moon will not make any more major aspects before it leaves the sign it currently occupies. This is a simple concept, but it’s absolutely pivotal that we understand it perfectly. Let’s say the Moon is in Aries. If it won’t make a conjunction, sextile, square, trine, or opposition to any other planet before it enters Taurus, then it is void of course. That’s all there is to it.
It is important to understand the precise meaning of a void Moon. Never think of it as “bad” per se. What it tells you is that “nothing will come of the matter.” In Horary astrology, there’s a dictum: No aspects, no action. It’s a very solid and reliable principle in Electional astrology, too. Of course, with a wedding, one typically hopes and expects that something will come of the matter — a long, happy life together, prosperity, perhaps children. To accept a void Moon in a wedding Electional chart would be a real blunder. On the other hand, imagine that a client needs to schedule a professional meeting where she fervently hopes that nothing will happen — the company is considering transferring her from her Hawaiian paradise to its new office in Greenland. Pick a void Moon for that meeting! Please note that having a void-of-course Moon in your birth chart is an entirely different matter. Exploring its meaning would take us too far afield in this article. Suffice it to say that a natal Moon void of course does not mean that your entire life will come to nothing.
Even when the Moon for an Election is not void of course, we need to be careful how we handle it. Pay attention to the last aspect the Moon makes before leaving the sign it currently occupies. That aspect is always relevant to how the matter turns out in the end. Say you have the Moon moving toward an opposition to Uranus in a wedding chart. That’s suggestive of the marriage ending explosively. Better to have the Moon moving toward a trine, sextile, or a happy conjunction. The ideal would perhaps be a conjunction with Venus — that would evoke something much closer to the desired loving outcome.
Remember: This procedure applies strictly to aspects that the Moon will make before leaving the sign through which it is currently passing. If the Moon crosses the line into the next sign before it conjuncts that Venus, it loses its deepest relevance.
You may have a series of days that all look pretty good from the perspective of all the planets other than the Moon. You find that when, say, Libra is rising on those days, the charts are especially strong. Which chart should you choose? A close consideration of the Moon will almost always resolve that question — you’ll find that the Moon is void or going toward a scary last aspect in several of the charts, so you can toss them out of the running.
In summary, regarding the Moon, there are two principles to keep in mind. First, steer clear of a void-of-course Moon in an Electional chart, unless you have good reason to use it. Second, make sure that the final aspect the Moon makes, before leaving the sign it currently occupies, supports the results you are seeking. Generally, that means you are looking for the Moon to make a trine or sextile to any planet or a conjunction to a gentle one.
The Querent and the Quesited
These delightfully archaic terms are commonly used in Horary astrology, and Electional is a close cousin. The querent is the person asking the question, usually represented by the Ascendant and its planetary ruler. The quesited is the thing being asked about. Depending upon what that thing is specifically, it can be represented by any house and its ruler. If the question is about another person, the quesited will be the 7th house and the planet ruling the sign on its cusp. If it’s about a career move, it will be the 10th house and its ruler. The basic idea, in Horary, is that you want an easy aspect forming between those two planetary rulers. We import this procedure wholesale into Electional astrology.
Here’s how: A wedding is naturally a 7th-house affair. We have tentatively chosen a chart with Libra rising, for example. That places Aries on the cusp of the 7th house, with Mars as its planetary ruler. Mars thus becomes the quesited — a wedding. The querent is Venus, because it rules the Ascendant. Now, here’s the question: Is there an aspect between Mars and Venus? In the best of all possible worlds, Venus would be moving into a sextile or trine with Mars. If a hard aspect were forming between them, that would be ominous — although here I would instantly advocate sensitivity toward the intentions and desires of the couple. A square isn’t “bad” as much as process-oriented; by this I mean that such aspects usually require negotiation and serious efforts by the couple to understand each other and to find a respectful middle ground — not such bad skills to develop in a marriage. Some people are better suited to the intensity of that kind of chart than others. A conjunction between Mars and Venus in a chart such as this would be easier by far than a square or opposition but not nearly as encouraging as a trine or sextile. At least, the couple would tend to agree on what subject they were fighting about!
If no aspect is forming between the two planets, the chart is a candidate for rejection. Try changing the Ascendant to see whether you can get the querent and the quesited to dance together. You can often do this by simply altering the hour, without starting all over again with a new day.
Aspects that are currently applying — getting closer to exactitude — are more powerful than ones that are separating. In Horary astrology, one basically ignores separating aspects — the trine that is one degree past exactitude is forgotten. In Electional work, that extreme attitude is unnecessary. But the ideal is to see applying trines, sextiles, or conjunctions between the planetary ruler of the Ascendant and the ruler of the house that represents the action the client is undertaking.
In our example, we’ve been considering a wedding, which is a 7th-house affair. Career questions would focus our attention on the ruler of the 10th house. Questions about health or pets would focus on the 6th house. Questions about actions involving children would turn our attention to the 5th house. Long trips, the 9th house. And so on. All the “Astrology 101” principles apply, in other words.
Planets in the House that Rules the Matter
Say that someone elects a chart for a wedding, and the chart has Saturn in the 7th house. A lot of astrologers might gasp. That’s an overreaction, I think — but I would like to see this particular Saturn supported by lots of easy aspects and relatively free of hard ones before I breathed easily about it.
The general principle here is that any planet lying in the house of the quesited assumes a great deal of power in the chart. That’s a fairly obvious idea, intuitively. The trick is to be cautious about any knee-jerk assumptions about which planets are good and which ones are bad. We would love to see Jupiter in the 7th house of a wedding chart — but if Jupiter is currently passing through some tense aspects, you probably don’t want to put it in the spotlight. Doing so could suggest unrealistically high expectations of the marriage, which can lead quickly to disillusionment. A solid, happy Saturn might serve your intentions a lot more effectively.
Keeping One Eye on the Birth Chart
Once you’ve come up with a possible chart, it must pass one more test. How well does it fit with the client’s birth chart? That Electional chart represents the current transits at a given moment of time, and those transits are affecting the birth chart of the person asking the question. Maybe there’s a transiting traffic jam in the individual’s 12th house right at the time you are electing for opening a new business or tying the marital knot. If so, you might want to reconsider your Electional suggestion. The moment you’ve selected could very well be an excellent time for someone else to undertake the action, but not your client, who simply isn’t sufficiently clear regarding his or her own intentions to make such a commitment wholeheartedly.
A complete treatment of this final dimension of Electional astrology would actually require a book, because it blurs into the vast territory of transits, progressions, and solar arcs. If you are fuzzy about how these factors impact a birth chart, I’d suggest that you spend a little time with my book, The Changing Sky.1
Conclusion
That is the heart of the Electional process. If you find a chart that covers all the bases, you’ve done your job. The rest is up to the people involved. That, in my opinion, is astrology’s glory — reality, as we experience it, is created at the interface of consciousness and planetary forces. Remember Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it. Even a “perfect” chart can turn sour. That’s not astrology’s fault — or yours.
In the real world, you probably won’t find many charts that seem truly perfect. You just do your best and then discuss the results honestly with the client, balancing the pros and cons, just like everything else. If you could “elect” over a period of a decade or two, you might be able to come up with a chart that seemed flawless. That’s not the real world, though. In practice, you always have to choose the “lesser evil.” The art lies in learning to recognize it!
Sometimes, you will simply not come up with any workable chart at all. I remember a summer not long ago when Saturn was in Pisces and Venus went retrograde in Virgo, opposing it for several weeks — I couldn’t, in clear conscience, recommend any marriage dates under that energy. That frustrated some people, but I felt that I had to be truthful about what I saw. Patience was the lesson!
When my wife, Jodie, published the first book in her trilogy, The Rhymer and the Ravens, we wrote a local “rock opera” based upon it. I elected a chart for our first performance with Jupiter rising in Sagittarius. Almost instantly, everything went ballistic — Jupiter-fashion! We were flooded with volunteers, creative ideas, and enthusiasm. We sprouted a big band, a troupe of 15 dancers, costumers, lighting technicians — everything but an elephant. At one show, we played on a 40-foot, three-level stage designed as a Viking dragon ship. At our final performance, we sold out the best of the local performance venues and turned away a hundred people. The whole experience was like having the proverbial tiger by the tail. It completely dominated our lives in every way for a couple of years, which wasn’t what we had really intended. I felt like Mickey Mouse in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” casting his spell on those ever-multiplying brooms. It was a good experience, but it taught me a valuable lesson: Never underestimate the power of Electional astrology!
Reference
1. Steven Forrest, The Changing Sky, San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1998.
© 2001 Steven Forrest – all rights reserved
http://www.sarahsastrology.com/page18.htm
Electional astrology is a technique used to select the most favourable time for an event such as a marriage, starting a business or moving into a new home. It's usually used for something important and not for trivial matters.
There are two techniques that can be used in electional astrology. One technique is to treat the chart for the event as a transit chart and compare it with the birth chart for the person or people who will be involved in the event; the interpretation for this technique is similar to the technique used in synastry. The other technique is to treat the chart of the event as the birth chart for the event; the event is interpreted in a similar method as the interpretation for a birth chart where the event has its own personality.
RULES FOR ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
1) Only applying aspects should be used.
2) Orbs are not used if the aspect is applying.
3) The Moon is the primary constideration in a n electional chart. It can be used to time events and is treated like the Sun in a birth chart.
4) It's best to keep Mars and Uranus away from the angles and angular houses. Mars can indicate conflict and Uranus can indicate unexpected or unpredictable occurances.
5) The most appropriate rising sign for the matter in question should be chosen, such as Sagittarius for foreign travel.
6) The Moon during its perigee is travelling faster that at its apogee. For anything that needs to happen quickly choose a time when the Moon is in perigee. Anything that you want to last for a long time choose a time when the Moon is in apogee. (See my astrology dictionary on the website for more information about apogee and perigee).
7) When the Moon is travelling from new to full increases the speed of matters associated with the event. Avoid 12 degrees after the New Moon and 12 degrees after th Full Moon as this time is considered unfavourable.
8) The next lunar aspect after the action has been taken shows the outcome of the event.
9) The sign where the Moon is located shows the type of activity which is favourable at the time for the event.
10) Avoid planet placements at 0 degrees or 29 degrees of any sign as there can be confusion or disorientation, unless it moves into a sign it's compatible with such as Uranus in Aquarius.
11) Avoid any square aspects with the Moon as this can show emotional tension and frustration with matters represented by the planet the Moon is in aspect with.
12) Do not choose a time when the Moon is void of course as the event may fail or be abandoned, there may be obstacles that can't be overcome or the event may never be initiated.
13) The Moon should not be in a major applying aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition) to a retrograde planet as there can be a severe restriction of progress.
14) Avoid a time when the Moon is in Scorpio (its fall) or when the Moon is in Capricorn (its detriment). You may also want to avoid a time when the Moon is Via Combusta (between 15 degrees Libra and 15 degrees Scorpio) as it is considered a detrimental location for the Moon to be located in an electional chart.
15) The first planet the Moon is in applying aspect to has a strong influence on the event.
16) Unless Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are favourably located or associated with the matter in question it's best to keep their contact with the Moon and with the ruling planet of the chart to a minimum.
17) The Moon should not be placed on the Ascendant.
PLANETS IN ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
SUN: Places of gambling; jewellery shop; gives strength.
MOON: Moon in square aspect causes problems, in conjunction it's less of a problem than the square. Moon in inconjunct shows a need for change or reorganisation.
A waxing Moon (increasing in size) is favourable for growth.
A void of course Moon shows a lack of action.
The waning Moon is favourable for reducing debt.
MERCURY: Communication.
When Mercury is retrograde it's unfavourable for moving house, signing contracts or surgery due to potential errors in communication.
VENUS: Artistic pursuits; creativity.
When Venus is in retrograde it's not favourable for weddings, social occasions, buying expensive or luxury items, or for cosmetic surgery.
MARS: If a battle is planned Mars needs to be well aspected.
When Mars is in retrograde there may be problems with machinery or cars. It's unfavourable for surgery as the outcome won't be what was desired.
JUPITER: Extravagance: if well aspected shows good fortune and luck.
SATURN: Discipline; organisation; delays; limitations; responsibility; building; administration.
The best house for Saturn to be placed is in a cadent house, unfavourable in an angular house.
Saturn is very influential in an electional chart for a business venture.
If more responsibility is to be accepted it's important that Saturn is well aspected.
URANUS: Unique ventures; inventions; computers; innovation; air travel.
Unless Uranus is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
NEPTUNE: Creativity; illusion; deception; fraud; cinemas; escapism.
Unless Neptune is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
PLUTO: Hidden matters; elimination; death.
Unless Pluto is associated with the matter in question it usually has a minor influence on the electional chart.
Electional astrology for advertising
The electional chart is created for the moment the advert or advertising campaign has been launched.
A waxing Moon is favourable for the advert to capture public attention.
Avoid Mercury retrograde.
Avoid the void of course Moon.
It's favourable for the Moon to be in good aspect with a planet which is most closely representative of the object of the advert.
Electional astrology for buying a car
The electional chart is for when the payment has been made.
If the car is to be kept for a long time the Moon should be in a fixed sign.
The ascendant represents the buyer and the descendant represents the seller.
Rulers of the 2nd house and 3rd house in sextile or trine to the ascendant can show a good purchase.
Venus in sextile or trine to the ascendant is a favourable time to buy a luxury car unless Venus is retrograde.
Mars in retrograde is an unfavourable time to buy a car; it may have mechanical problems.
Electional astrology for buying and selling land or property
The electional chart is valid from the moment an offer to buy has been made, or the moment land or property is available for sale.
When buying land or property the ascendant represents the buyer, the descendant represents the seller.
A sextile or trine between planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant shows a favourable transaction between the buyer and seller. A square or opposition between the planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant can show difficulties and potential conflict with the transaction.
When selling land or property the ascendant represents the seller and the descendant represents the buyer.
Avoid a time when the Moon is void of course.
The 4th house represents the land or property.
When buying land or property the ascendant in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) is favourable unless a quick resale is desired.
When selling the ascendant in a cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) is favourable for a quick sale.
Electional astrology for conception (fertility)
Female fertility may be at its highest when the transiting Moon is at the same distance from the Sun where it is located in her birth chart.
The Moon square to the ascendant, Mars, Saturn or Uranus are unfavourable for conception.
The Moon in a feminine sign at the time of conception increases the chances of a female baby.
The Moon in a masculine sign at the time of conception increases the chances of a male baby.
The Moon opposite Saturn is unfavourable for conception.
Electional astrology for contests
The Moon applying in conjunction, trine or sextile to the planetary rulers of the ascendant or 5th house favour the champion or home team winning.
If the Moon is applying in conjunction, trine or sextile to the planetary rulers of the descendant or 11th house favours the challenger or away team to win.
The 1st house and ascendant represent the home team or the defending champion; the significator for the home team or defending champion is the planetary ruler of the ascendant.
The 7th house and descendant represent the away team or the challenger; the significator for the away team or challenger is the planetary ruler of the descendant.
The 5th house rules speculation and represents the cahances of the home team or defending champion of winning.
The 10th house represents the status of the home team or defending champion.
The 11th house represents the chance of the away team or challenger winning.
Electional astrology for horse racing
The chart is created for the exact time and place for the start of the race.
Due to the number of horses in the race interpretation can be complicated. The planet closest to the ascendant or MC represents the winner unless it is in an unfavourable placing. The name of the horse and colours the jockey is wearing are indicated by the planet closest to an angle.
A planet in conjunction to the ascendant or the MC has a stronger influence than a planet in conjunction to the descendant or IC.
If there is no planet that is close to an angle a planet in an angular house can be used. The angular houses are the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses; the 1st house has the strongest influence followed by the 10th house, then the 4th house.
The Sun, Venus and Jupiter in conjunction with the ascendant or MC can indicate the favourite or the horses with shorter odds that are likely to win.
Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in conjunction with the ascendant or MC can show the outsider or horses with longer odds are likely to win.
The Moon can favour favourites or outsiders according to what the rest of the chart indicates.
A planet in conjunction with the descendant or IC can favour horses that are not favourites or outsiders.
Electional astrology for a job interview
Usually the person seeking a job is unable to choose the time of the job interview.
The Moon in square aspect is unfavourable.
If the ascendant and the planetary ruler of the ascendant are strongly placed their influence is favourable.
Venus and Jupiter in the 1st house are favourable.
The 6th house represents the job.
The ascendant in sextile or trine to the 6th house cusp can be favourable.
The ascendant or planetary ruler of the ascendant in sextile or trine to the MC or MC planetary ruler can indicate a positive interaction at the interview.
The Aries ascendant can increase assertiveness; Gemini ascendant can increase mental alertness; Leo ascendant can increase confidence; Virgo ascendant can increase attention to detail; Libra increases diplomacy; Capricorn ascendant can increase the ability to be efficient: Aquarius ascendant increases the ability to grasp new concepts and the Pisces ascendant increases the ability to be imaginative.
Electional astrology for legal action
To initiate legal action the ascendant, Mars and Pluto should be favourably placed and aspected.
The ascendant in Aries or Scorpio are favourable.
The planetary ruler of the ascendant should be stronger than the planetary ruler of the descendant.
The descendant and the 7th house represent the opponent.
The 2nd house represents personal resources to be used for or are affected by legal action.
The 3rd house represents written statements and communication.
Saturn in the 12th house can show unwanted obstacles during legal proceedings possibly created by those with a hidden agenda.
Electional astrology for marriage and civil partnership
The electional chart is for the moment the ceremony has started.
Venus can represent the bride and Mars can represent the groom in a heterosexual relationship. In a homosexual relationship Mars can represent the partner who is most dominant in the relationship, Venus can represent the other partner. The Sun and Moon can also be used to represent both partners in a relationship; where the Sun is used instead of Mars and the Moon is used instead of Venus.
It's favourable for the marriage if Venus and Mars are in sextile or trine to each other.
Venus should be in sextile or trine with the ascendant or descendant.
The Moon in Scorpio should be avoided as the Moon is in its fall and can show possessiveness and secretiveness in the marriage.
Mars in the 2nd house can show arguments about money.
The ascendant shows the character of the marriage or civil partnership.
Saturn can bring limitations and delays. If's unfavourable in angular houses and is best placed in cadent houses.
Conjunctions to Saturn show misunderstandings, feelings of sadness and neglect.
Uranus should be kept out of the 1st house and 7th house to avoid unexpected events that can affect the wedding, especially the people in the marriage or civil partnership.
Avoid square aspects to the Moon.
Avoid a void of course Moon.
A waxing Moon is more favourable than a waning Moon.
The ascendant in a fixed sign is favourable for a long lasting marriage.
The Sun and Moon should be in sextile or trine with each other.
The planetary rulers for the ascendant and descendant should be in sextile or trine with each other to have a favourable influence on the relationship.
Venus in retrograde is unfavourable for marrige or civil partnerships.
The Moon in Leo is favourable for strong and well matched couples.
The Moon in Libra is favourable for harmony and balance in the relationship.
Mars in the 7th house is unfavourable for a partnership, there can be passion but there may also be arguments.
An Aries ascendant can indicate a short lived relationship, possibly due to selfishness.
A Cancer ascendant shows a nurturing relationship which may also be suffocating.
A Libra ascendant shows fairness and harmony in a marriage or civil partnership.
A Scorpio ascendant can show passion, possessiveness and jealousy in the relationship.
A Pisces ascendant can show romance but there may also be deception.
Electional astrology for medical issues
When the Moon is in the sign ruling the relevant part of the body it can be favourable for non-surgical procedures but unfavourable for surgical procedures.
Avoid square aspects to the Moon.
Surgery should be avoided on a Full Moon.
A waning Moon is favourable for surgery.
A void of course Moon is favourable for tests where it is hoped that no serious illness will be diagnosed.
Usually a void of course Moon should be avoided for surgery.
Mercury in retrograde is unfavourable for surgery; it's possible some or all of it may have to be redone.
Mars in retrograde has a detrimental influence on surgery. It indicates there may be difficulties with the surgery or it may not have the desired outcome.
The Sun shows physical strength.
Sextiles and trines to the Sun, Moon, ascendant, planetary ruler of the 8th house and the planet ruling the relevant part of the body have a beneficial influence for surgery.
Any square aspects to Saturn can indicate long term problems and a slow recovery.
Any square aspects to Neptune can show potential problems with anaesthetic, medication or infection.
The New Moon and 5 days before and after the New Moon are favourable for surgery, especially to keep pain and blood loss to a minimum.
The Full Moon and 5 days before and after the Full Moon are unfavourable for surgery as it's easier to feel pain and lose blood.
Electional astrology for moving home
Moving into a new home starts when the first object is moved into the new home.
The Moon is the primary consideration.
Opposition, square and inconjunct aspects should be avoided.
The void of course Moon should be avoided.
The planetary ruler of the ascendant should be in conjunction, sextile or trine with the planetary ruler of the 4th house.
If the new home is not rented and the person or people moving home want to stay there for a long time the ascendant should be in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).
Do not move home when Mercury or Venus are in retrograde.
Mars in the 4th house can show there will be arguments and accidents.
Saturn in the 4th house can show unhappiness and potential loneliness.
Uranus in the 4th house can indicate unexpected events, especially associated with electricity.
Pluto in the 1st house can indicate a stressful and intense experience when moving home.
Electional astrology for starting a business
Home based businesses can be represented by the 4th house.
Business partnerships can be represented by the 1st house and the 7th house.
Delivery businesses are represented by the 3rd house.
A business starts when it starts trading.
Lunar square aspects and the void of course Moon should be avoided.
A waxing Moon is favourable for the growth of the business, a waning Moon is unfavourable for the growth of the business.
The ascendant (ASC) describes the person who owns the business.
The MC (midheaven) describes the business.
It's best if the planet that represents the business is prominent and well aspected.
Venus retrograde and the time when the planet ruling the business is retrograde should be avoided.
Mercury retrograde should be avoided, especially if there a legal documents that require a signature.
The Sun in the 2nd house is favourable for making money.
The Sun in the 10th house is favourable for enhancing the reputation of the business.
The ascendant in trine with the north node shows a positive fated business move or decision.
When the planet that rules the sign where the MC is located is in the 3rd house it has a favourable influence for a business that is based on the distribution of information.
The planet that rules the ascendant or the MC is in conjunction with the 9th house cusp shows potential interest from foreign customers.
Saturn is very influential and should be well placed.
Saturn should be kept away from the angles (ASC, MC,DESC, IC) unless the business is ruled by Saturn, or is owned by a single individual.
Hard aspects (square, opposition) from the Sun, Moon, Saturn, planetary ruler of the MC to Neptune or Pluto can show the new business may fail rapidly.
The 1st house is the public image of the business.
The 2nd house shows the ability the business has to earn money.
The 3rd house shows the environment near the business and communication.
The 4th house shows the head quarters for the business.
The 5th house represents creativity and entertainment.
The 6th house represents the health of the business and chores.
The 7th house represents the public and customers.
The 8th house represents money from the customers.
The 9th house shows foreign travel and international trade.
The 10th house shows the reputation of the business, aims and achievements.
The 11th house represents people who are allies to the business.
The 12th house can show work behind the scenes.
Moon in Aries is favourable for a taking the intiative to start a business.
Moon in Taurus for stable and steady financial gain.
Moon in Gemini isfavourable for a business based on communication but not a business that requires routine and repitition.
Moon in Cancer for a business based on caring for people.
Moon in Leo for a business that requires a bold approach and will attract attention from the public. Good for businesses in entertainment.
Moon in Virgo is favourable for businesses that require attention to detail.
Moon in Libra is favourable for legal firms and businesses in the beauty industry.
Moon in Scorpio for businesses associated with birth, sex or death.
Moon in Sagittarius for businesses associated with foreign travel.
Moon in Capricorn for starting a business to fulfil own ambitions and to attain success through hard work and discipline.
Moon in Aquarius for unconventional businesses or businesses that require inventive ideas.
Moon in Pisces for businesses based on creative work.
Electional astrology for starting an organisation
An electional chart for an organisation is created for the time when the organisation is formed.
When an organisation exists any member of it, whether they are a board member or the chairperson is represented by the ascendant.
Square aspects to the Moon and the void of course Moon should be avoided.
The waxing Moon is favourable, the waning Moon is unfavourable.
Saturn in the 6th house can show people who work for or volunteer are likely to work hard for the organisation.
An Aquarius ascendant is favourable for astrological associations.
The 1st house shows people who are part of the organisation and the character of the organisation.
The 2nd house shows the finances of the organisation and what it values.
The 3rd house shows the environment around the organisation and how it communicates.
The 4th house shows how the organisation functions at its head quarters.
The 5th house can show creative activity.
The 6th house represents the volunteers and workers of an organisation.
The 7th house shows competitors and legal affairs.
The 8th house shows losses and gains through death or resignation, investments and it can also represent the treasurer of an organisation.
The 9th house represents long distance communication and travel as well as foreign affairs.
The 10th house represents the organisation, the person or people in a position of authority in the organisation.
The 11th house shows allies and associates of the organisation.
The 12th house can show hidden opposition to the organisation as well as work behind the scenes.
An Introduction to Electional Astrology
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY JOANN HAMPAR ON JULY 27, 2010
POSTED UNDER ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
Electional astrology is utilized in choosing the most appropriate time to begin something. The intent is to achieve a successful outcome, and the rules applied are very specifically set toward that end. Many of the rules have their foundation in horary astrology, the counterpart to this work. Horary astrology is the art of answering a question by analysis of a chart drawn for the precise moment of the question. Within the horary chart lies the answer to the question, and all circumstances surrounding the matter. Unlike horary, which answers after the fact, electional astrology approaches the matter beforehand and "elects" an appropriate time to achieve a desired outcome. Though the rules are the same, they are applied differently.
The election chart itself is drawn for the place where the event will occur at a certain time in the future. At its best, an election chart will make use of the most beneficial planetary alignments on any given day. Since the Moon is of primary importance in all election work, she is given precedence, though the rulers of the elected matter are also considered. The Moon's applying aspects, describe the unfolding of the electional matter. The Sun and Moon in good alignment will always enhance the election, and contribute to a successful outcome.
The elected time is the exact moment chosen to begin something. It is calculated to give you an advantage in the matter. The time selected has a twofold purpose. Primary is to strengthen the person initiating the action. This person is always shown by the first house and the Moon. Secondary is to strengthen the house of the electional matter. The house is determined by the main theme of the election. In considering the correct time, one must keep in mind the moment of finality. This is when there is no longer control in the matter, and it is out of your hands. The statement "I now pronounce you man and wife" at the conclusion of a marriage ceremony, is an example of finality. The election time should correspond with the pronouncement and not with the beginning of the ceremony. Up until that moment, either party can back out. If signing important documents to be returned by mail, finality occurs when the papers are dropped into the mailbox. Until they have left your possession, there is still control in the matter. It is not always easy to determine the moment of finality so a good rule of thumb is to recognize when something is no longer within your control. Often it is when you have taken the first step to set the matter in motion, but not always.
Both the natural ruler and the natal ruler of the election matter are considered in setting up an election chart. However, the natural ruler is the primary consideration. The natural ruler is the planet corresponding with the subject of the election. For example, every election pertaining to marriage, or relationship matters should feature a strong and well-placed Venus. This is the primary consideration, although the ruler of the seventh house is also considered. Ideally, an election for marriage would feature a strong Venus, a healthy Moon, and favorable aspects to the ruler of the natal seventh house. Likewise, the signing of important papers requires a sound Mercury. Business matters benefit when Saturn, Jupiter and the Sun are well aligned. It is always beneficial to strengthen the natural rulers of an electional matter.
The next consideration is the house ruling the electional matter. This is the house corresponding with the main theme of the election. It is necessary to strengthen the house of the matter, and link it favorably with the first house. The seventh house is the house of marriage, and the tenth, the house of business. In a marriage election, we want positive aspects between the rulers of the first and seventh houses. In a business election, positive aspects between the rulers of the first and tenth houses are needed.
We can begin by looking for days with positive aspects between the Moon, and the planet ruling the electional matter. Only applying aspects are considered in electional astrology as once an aspect is separating the opportunity is over. The Moon is allowed all applying aspects until she leaves the sign she is in. In other words, the Moon is not confined to an orb of influence. Each applying aspect will describe something about the unfolding of the electional matter. The final aspect of the Moon shows the outcome of the election, and is a major consideration. A positive last aspect is very important if the elected matter is to end well.
To a great extent electional work is subject to certain time constraints. Therefore, it is vital to fortify the Moon. Begin by looking for days when she is making mostly positive aspects. Her waxing phase favors growth, and she should be strong by sign, and ideally making no difficult aspects to the Sun or to the planet ruling the matter of the election. The Moon's waning phase favors consolidation, and is appropriate when bringing matters to completion. Moon void-of-course is to be avoided when selecting an election date. Actions taken when the Moon is void will not turn out as planned. In horary astrology, if a question is posed when the Moon is void of course, the astrologer can say 'nothing of consequence will come of the matter'. The Moon is making no contact with the planets and therefore, no action ensues. The same applies to the election chart.
The Ascendant ruler should be strong, in good aspect with the Moon, and with the planet ruling the electional matter. The first house and its ruling planet always represent the person who initiates the action, and should be free from affliction. It is necessary to have a positive applying aspect between the planet ruling the first house person, and the planet ruling the house of the elected matter. If there is no contact, no action will ensue. The Moon is always a co-ruler of the first house person and can be used to connect the two.
Try to keep the difficult planets away from the Ascendant and out of the first quadrant. Difficult planets in the first quadrant can interfere with the momentum of the elected matter. Saturn may cause delay or require tremendous effort to overcome. Uranus usually presents an unexpected problem or a disruptive influence. Neptune may indicate a lack of information, misinformation or bad judgment. With Pluto something needs to be eliminated before the matter can proceed.
Also try to avoid a retrograde significator. This is the planet representing any significant person or matter in the election chart. A retrograde condition is weak and may not function well.
The quality of the signs on the angles should favor the election chart. Cardinal signs support quick action and taking the initiative. Fixed signs support endurance. They are particularly desirable for long-term commitments, such as marriage, or for projects where longevity is vital. Mutable signs encourage change, and are helpful when flexibility is needed.
The Part of Fortune is considered favorable, especially if placed in the house ruling the matter of the election. It is also helpful when conjunct the ascendant. It acts like a benefic planet and can play a significant role. It is however, not well placed in the eighth or twelfth house, unless your election pertains to one of those houses. In either house it is considered the part of misfortune.
The mutual reception of two planets enables the respective planets to change signs, and therefore change positions. This occurs when two planets are in each other’s signs. The two planets in mutual reception cooperate with one another, and this lends flexibility and versatility to the matter at hand. It is similar to a conjunction in that the two planets work together as one.
The critical degrees 0° and 29° should be avoided. An angle or planet in critical degree operates at a disadvantage. The person or matter represented is either premature or too late, respectively. The malefic degrees should also be avoided. They are 24º Taurus, 29º Taurus and 19º Scorpio. The person or matter represented by a planet in one of these degrees is unstable.
The natal chart of the individual plays a key role in the success of an election. The birth chart will show one's predisposition in all matters, and should support the focus of the election. The birth chart will affirm whether the goal is realistic.
We also examine the current planetary cycles for confirmation that the election is attainable. They will help us determine whether the overall timing is favorable. In particular, we are most interested in the Saturn cycle. Saturn's transits to the natal chart correlate with obstacles in achieving one's goals. If Saturn is making difficult aspects to the Sun, for instance, it can be quite difficult to succeed with business matters. It is certainly easier to have success with electional astrology if the current cycles agree with the intent of the election. However, an election chart does stand on its own, and should always reflect the best time to support the desired outcome.
EDITOR'S CHOICE ARTICLES April/May 2001 Issue
Electional Astrology
The Fine Art of Seizing the Moment
by Steven Forrest
“We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?”
I hear that message on my answering machine at least once a month. People with the slightest openness to astrology seem to know that certain moments in time are more auspicious than others. They are right. For any major undertaking, it’s wise to consider “planning its birth” through the judicious use of Electional astrology. Any action that we volunteer for and exercise authority over in terms of timing is fair game. Getting married. Opening a business. Leaving on a trip.
When am I likely to meet the sort of person whom I might choose to marry? That’s not an Electional question — that’s in the domain of transits and progressions. Should I get married? No, that’s not Electional territory either — again, use transits and progressions, along with the birth chart, to find the answer. Should I marry this particular person? Use synastry and perhaps Horary techniques. Many people get confused about the differences between Horary and Electional astrology, so it’s important to be clear about them. In a nutshell, Horary is about whether you should do something, and Electional is about when to do something that you’ve already decided to do.
We use Electional astrology for only one reason: to time the beginning of an action to which we are already committed. It is tactical astrology, in other words, not strategic astrology. We’ve figured out what we are going to do. We just want to know when to make the move to bring the most “luck” to bear upon the situation.
It works powerfully. Ronald Reagan’s astrologer, Joan Quigley, used this technique extensively for Reagan during his presidency. The media couldn’t ignore his incredible “luck.” Of course, they ridiculed astrology when the truth emerged about its influence on Reagan. The media’s more “objective” explanation was that he was coated with Teflon.
So, back to our question: “We’re getting married. Can you help us pick a day?” Everyone with an IQ above the price of dinner knows that it takes a lot of sanity, patience, and commitment to make a marriage work. Common sense dictates that even the “best” chart in the world cannot create happiness between two people who are fundamentally incompatible, ambivalent about the commitment, or simply not psychologically or spiritually ready. Which leads us to Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it; it does not override the basic principles of natural law or common sense.
What constitutes happiness in a marriage? For a very mild couple, “never fighting” might be a legitimate ideal. A standard kind of “good” chart might work for them — lots of trines and sextiles, a big glorious Venus ruling a Libra Ascendant. But what if two Plutonian types are getting married? Would they want that kind of marriage? Probably not. With marriage, or any other truly epochal existential undertaking, an effective modern astrologer seeks to understand precisely the goals of the individuals involved and does not succumb to the platitudinous assumptions about “good” charts that we’ve inherited from the literature. A “good” chart can lack dynamism; it can be boring. Which leads us to Principle Number Two: Although Electional astrology can shape and flavor outcomes, to use it wisely, we must know specifically what kind of outcome is desired by the client.
I’ve been asked on many occasions to pick a moment for entering a lottery or a contest. Personally, I’m not very interested in that kind of astrology, but Electional techniques can be used this way. I’ve never been successful at helping a client to win a contest, nor do I really expect to be. The odds are just too long. I have no doubt that I have boosted the client’s chances of winning — from ten million to one … all the way up to maybe a million to one. Which leads us to Principle Number Three: A realistic, non-astrological assessment of simple probabilities is essential for keeping perspective about Electional astrology.
If someone asked me to elect an auspicious moment to steal money, ethics would obviously forbid my doing so. Say, for the sake of argument, that I did it anyway and that the person got away with the crime. This raises ethical and metaphysical questions. (If the ethical ones stump you, please stop reading this article and consider a career in politics!) But metaphysically, we get into some very complex terrain with Electional astrology. Stealing money sets cosmic wheels turning. Astrology may help us to dodge the consequences this year or even in this lifetime, but in the end those consequences will catch up with us. So Electional work can actually create karma.
The best Electional work can also be undone by previous karma. If it is important for you to be single in this lifetime, for evolutionary reasons, a marriage performed under a fine marital Electional chart will still probably come undone. This is philosophical territory, and I certainly honor your right to your own attitudes and beliefs. I do encourage you to think deeply about these questions before launching into a serious study of Electional astrology. Which leads us to Principle Number Four: With Electional astrology, we are practicing magic, pure and simple. We are playing with the natural laws of karma and the universe. It is wise to do so cautiously and consciously.
“When is the best time this evening to brush my teeth?” Well, yes — you could actually do valid Electional astrology on that pithy question. Make sure the 6th house and its ruler are strong, and so on. But down that road lies madness. Which leads us to Principle Number Five: The effectiveness of Electional astrology is most marked when it is applied to the truly pivotal strategies of one’s life.
Choosing the Date
When choosing the date for an action astrologically, we are selecting the moment for an action to be born. Once our goals are clear, we pick the chart that seems to support them most effectively. We let the action take its “first breath” at a moment we have chosen with specific intentions and outcomes in mind. You wouldn’t want a big adventure to be born with a timid, reflective chart. You wouldn’t want a meditation retreat to be born with a noisy, chaotic chart — which might be the perfect one for a wild party.
In practical terms, there will usually be a time limit involved. “I need to open my business sometime in the month of April.” “We want to go to Europe this spring.” Once you’ve gotten that information from a client, you have determined the first and last days when the action might be undertaken. That’s your scope of inquiry. Your task is to pick the strongest moment of time within that framework.
Naturally, the wider the range of time the client provides, the more powerful this technique becomes — you simply have more choices. Conversely, suppose the client says: “We’re getting married next Saturday afternoon — is that okay?” Under those circumstances, you should probably just congratulate the happy couple and change the subject. For Electional astrology to work, you need some breathing room.
I’ve often ranted in these pages about the foolishness of thinking in terms of “good” and “bad” aspects in the charts of individuals. Cancer always loves Scorpio? Give me a break! Capricorn always has trouble with Aries? Ha! Give them a joint project and stand back. Still, in Electional astrology, we actually err in the direction of thinking in terms of traditional “good” and “bad” aspects. Generally, when people set out to achieve a goal, they would prefer fewer obstacles rather than many. Thus, it is wise to emphasize trines and sextiles and to be cautious about oppositions and squares — although I would quickly add that the latter have their uses. They often represent strengths that are forged in experiences that test our mettle. For a marriage between two conscious people with a strong evolutionary orientation, I wouldn’t be unduly concerned by some “hard” aspects in a wedding chart. For a fun adventure trip to Europe or South America, though, give me trines and sextiles — I don’t want the bus to break down for ten days in some backwater, nor do I want my passport stolen.
Here’s the first step: If someone is planning a wedding, the planet Venus obviously plays a central role in the considerations. I’d immediately scan the ephemeris for days when Venus is involved in trines or sextiles. That is the key, very simply. Pick the planet connected to the person’s intention. Find the times during the period you are considering when that planet is most strongly supported by aspects to other planets. Then, build your possible Electional charts around those days.
When beginning a major project, look for a strong, well-supported Saturn. Speculation or risk? Jupiter. Starting an educational or literary endeavor? Mercury. An adventure? Mars — and, ideally, Jupiter too. Domestic or familial actions? The Moon. Creative work? Venus and Neptune. Psychotherapy or a necessary confrontation? Pluto.
As we will soon see, Electional astrology is complex. Venus might be looking great, but other, darker factors could eclipse the Venusian possibilities on those days. You will hardly ever find a chart that feels truly “perfect.” You do hope to find one that looks significantly better than any of the other possibilities. In a moment, we’ll mention some of those darker factors. Right now, let’s continue with the heart of the technique: finding the planet that naturally rules the action and making it as strong as possible in the chart for the moment the enterprise begins.
Say Venus passes through a trine to Jupiter during the period a couple is considering for their wedding. That’s obviously a merry discovery. The more exact the Venus–Jupiter aspect is, the stronger its action will be, so it would be desirable to schedule the wedding close to the day of exactitude. But practical issues may intervene — most people would prefer their wedding to be on a weekend rather than on a Tuesday, for example. Everything else being equal, an applying aspect is stronger than a separating one; it’s better to choose the weekend before the aspect is exact than the one following it.
Various factors might vex this simple scenario, but let’s continue to assume a “best case” situation. You’re electing a wedding date, and you have a strong Venus–Jupiter interaction as the basis of your timing. Any wedding occurring during those few days will be supported by a powerful harmonious aspect. Chances are good that you’ve found the basis of the chart you will eventually choose. You’ve narrowed it down to a period of several days.
Choosing the Minute
Within those few days when Venus is applying to the trine of Jupiter, which minute represents the peak of the energy? Our aim is to make that Venus–Jupiter energy as central to the chart as possible. The aspect will be exact at a certain moment on a certain day, but that is probably not your answer. The practical key is to realize that the daily transits of the planets around the horizon put them either in the spotlight or in the background, minute by minute. Any planet is strongest when it is in an angular house (the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th), especially when it is actually conjunct an angle — rising, setting, culminating, or crossing the lower Meridian. Perhaps you can place either Venus or Jupiter on an angle, thus strengthening the planet.
Planets also have specific house rulerships — Mercury loves being in the 3rd house, but Saturn isn’t so excited about it. Venus would love to be in the 7th house, of course, though Jupiter prefers the 9th.
Furthermore, the planetary ruler of the Ascendant is always a critical factor. If you want to emphasize Venus, choosing a chart with Libra or Taurus rising will accomplish that. If Sagittarius or Pisces is rising, Jupiter would be very energized.
Say that Saturn is currently squaring Jupiter. You will want to use that Venus–Jupiter trine as the basis of your Electional chart, but you don’t like that hard aspect from Saturn. Both of those planets are fairly slow, so waiting for the square to break up might not be a realistic option — the couple is eager to be married in the spring. If you were to elect a chart with Capricorn rising, Saturn then becomes the chart ruler, and you’ve really emphasized the problem — not a good move. So, having Venus-ruled Libra or Taurus on the Ascendant would be a better choice. The same can be said for having Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius or Pisces there. Tuck Saturn into the background as much as possible.
You’ll notice that I am using the traditional rulerships. Our modern love of Neptune as the ruler of Pisces has eclipsed our sensitivity to Jupiter’s association with the sign. In practice, my recommendation is to think in terms of “co-rulership.” If Pisces is on the Ascendant, then both Neptune and Jupiter are emphasized.
In a nutshell, choose a day that looks strong because of some fundamental supportive planetary aspect involving the planet that is most closely associated with the action being considered. Then juggle the time (and thus the Ascendant and planetary house placements) to make that planet as central as possible to the chart, meanwhile doing your best to minimize the impact of anything that looks dicey.
The Role of the Computer
As in all things astrological, apart from chart interpretation itself, the computer is a blessing in Electional work. You can easily set up charts on screen, adjusting the time until you see something that works. Most modern programs also have a Rectification module, which is very helpful in the Electional process. This allows you to adjust the chart quickly, going forward or backward on the screen in increments of hours and minutes.
Of course, the whole process can also be done with an ephemeris, a Table of Houses, and plenty of patience.
Bad Moon Rising
We’ve just covered the core process of Electional astrology. In the end, you will probably discover a few periods of a few days each, when the door seems to be open for an action. You will also come up with a variety of specific times on those days when the Ascendant and planetary house placements all look encouraging.
How should we choose among these days and times? To answer that question, we need to go deeper into the Electional process. Then, we will learn that other factors come into play — some of these can potentially turn your Gold Medal chart into a catastrophe, leading you to fall back on your Silver or your Bronze.
The Moon plays such a dominant role in Electional astrology that it can effectively rule out a chart that otherwise looks perfect. You simply cannot ignore the Moon. The most critical concept here is perhaps the notion of the Moon being void of course. This refers to a situation where the Moon will not make any more major aspects before it leaves the sign it currently occupies. This is a simple concept, but it’s absolutely pivotal that we understand it perfectly. Let’s say the Moon is in Aries. If it won’t make a conjunction, sextile, square, trine, or opposition to any other planet before it enters Taurus, then it is void of course. That’s all there is to it.
It is important to understand the precise meaning of a void Moon. Never think of it as “bad” per se. What it tells you is that “nothing will come of the matter.” In Horary astrology, there’s a dictum: No aspects, no action. It’s a very solid and reliable principle in Electional astrology, too. Of course, with a wedding, one typically hopes and expects that something will come of the matter — a long, happy life together, prosperity, perhaps children. To accept a void Moon in a wedding Electional chart would be a real blunder. On the other hand, imagine that a client needs to schedule a professional meeting where she fervently hopes that nothing will happen — the company is considering transferring her from her Hawaiian paradise to its new office in Greenland. Pick a void Moon for that meeting! Please note that having a void-of-course Moon in your birth chart is an entirely different matter. Exploring its meaning would take us too far afield in this article. Suffice it to say that a natal Moon void of course does not mean that your entire life will come to nothing.
Even when the Moon for an Election is not void of course, we need to be careful how we handle it. Pay attention to the last aspect the Moon makes before leaving the sign it currently occupies. That aspect is always relevant to how the matter turns out in the end. Say you have the Moon moving toward an opposition to Uranus in a wedding chart. That’s suggestive of the marriage ending explosively. Better to have the Moon moving toward a trine, sextile, or a happy conjunction. The ideal would perhaps be a conjunction with Venus — that would evoke something much closer to the desired loving outcome.
Remember: This procedure applies strictly to aspects that the Moon will make before leaving the sign through which it is currently passing. If the Moon crosses the line into the next sign before it conjuncts that Venus, it loses its deepest relevance.
You may have a series of days that all look pretty good from the perspective of all the planets other than the Moon. You find that when, say, Libra is rising on those days, the charts are especially strong. Which chart should you choose? A close consideration of the Moon will almost always resolve that question — you’ll find that the Moon is void or going toward a scary last aspect in several of the charts, so you can toss them out of the running.
In summary, regarding the Moon, there are two principles to keep in mind. First, steer clear of a void-of-course Moon in an Electional chart, unless you have good reason to use it. Second, make sure that the final aspect the Moon makes, before leaving the sign it currently occupies, supports the results you are seeking. Generally, that means you are looking for the Moon to make a trine or sextile to any planet or a conjunction to a gentle one.
The Querent and the Quesited
These delightfully archaic terms are commonly used in Horary astrology, and Electional is a close cousin. The querent is the person asking the question, usually represented by the Ascendant and its planetary ruler. The quesited is the thing being asked about. Depending upon what that thing is specifically, it can be represented by any house and its ruler. If the question is about another person, the quesited will be the 7th house and the planet ruling the sign on its cusp. If it’s about a career move, it will be the 10th house and its ruler. The basic idea, in Horary, is that you want an easy aspect forming between those two planetary rulers. We import this procedure wholesale into Electional astrology.
Here’s how: A wedding is naturally a 7th-house affair. We have tentatively chosen a chart with Libra rising, for example. That places Aries on the cusp of the 7th house, with Mars as its planetary ruler. Mars thus becomes the quesited — a wedding. The querent is Venus, because it rules the Ascendant. Now, here’s the question: Is there an aspect between Mars and Venus? In the best of all possible worlds, Venus would be moving into a sextile or trine with Mars. If a hard aspect were forming between them, that would be ominous — although here I would instantly advocate sensitivity toward the intentions and desires of the couple. A square isn’t “bad” as much as process-oriented; by this I mean that such aspects usually require negotiation and serious efforts by the couple to understand each other and to find a respectful middle ground — not such bad skills to develop in a marriage. Some people are better suited to the intensity of that kind of chart than others. A conjunction between Mars and Venus in a chart such as this would be easier by far than a square or opposition but not nearly as encouraging as a trine or sextile. At least, the couple would tend to agree on what subject they were fighting about!
If no aspect is forming between the two planets, the chart is a candidate for rejection. Try changing the Ascendant to see whether you can get the querent and the quesited to dance together. You can often do this by simply altering the hour, without starting all over again with a new day.
Aspects that are currently applying — getting closer to exactitude — are more powerful than ones that are separating. In Horary astrology, one basically ignores separating aspects — the trine that is one degree past exactitude is forgotten. In Electional work, that extreme attitude is unnecessary. But the ideal is to see applying trines, sextiles, or conjunctions between the planetary ruler of the Ascendant and the ruler of the house that represents the action the client is undertaking.
In our example, we’ve been considering a wedding, which is a 7th-house affair. Career questions would focus our attention on the ruler of the 10th house. Questions about health or pets would focus on the 6th house. Questions about actions involving children would turn our attention to the 5th house. Long trips, the 9th house. And so on. All the “Astrology 101” principles apply, in other words.
Planets in the House that Rules the Matter
Say that someone elects a chart for a wedding, and the chart has Saturn in the 7th house. A lot of astrologers might gasp. That’s an overreaction, I think — but I would like to see this particular Saturn supported by lots of easy aspects and relatively free of hard ones before I breathed easily about it.
The general principle here is that any planet lying in the house of the quesited assumes a great deal of power in the chart. That’s a fairly obvious idea, intuitively. The trick is to be cautious about any knee-jerk assumptions about which planets are good and which ones are bad. We would love to see Jupiter in the 7th house of a wedding chart — but if Jupiter is currently passing through some tense aspects, you probably don’t want to put it in the spotlight. Doing so could suggest unrealistically high expectations of the marriage, which can lead quickly to disillusionment. A solid, happy Saturn might serve your intentions a lot more effectively.
Keeping One Eye on the Birth Chart
Once you’ve come up with a possible chart, it must pass one more test. How well does it fit with the client’s birth chart? That Electional chart represents the current transits at a given moment of time, and those transits are affecting the birth chart of the person asking the question. Maybe there’s a transiting traffic jam in the individual’s 12th house right at the time you are electing for opening a new business or tying the marital knot. If so, you might want to reconsider your Electional suggestion. The moment you’ve selected could very well be an excellent time for someone else to undertake the action, but not your client, who simply isn’t sufficiently clear regarding his or her own intentions to make such a commitment wholeheartedly.
A complete treatment of this final dimension of Electional astrology would actually require a book, because it blurs into the vast territory of transits, progressions, and solar arcs. If you are fuzzy about how these factors impact a birth chart, I’d suggest that you spend a little time with my book, The Changing Sky.1
Conclusion
That is the heart of the Electional process. If you find a chart that covers all the bases, you’ve done your job. The rest is up to the people involved. That, in my opinion, is astrology’s glory — reality, as we experience it, is created at the interface of consciousness and planetary forces. Remember Principle Number One: Electional astrology works within the limits of the consciousness of the individuals using it. Even a “perfect” chart can turn sour. That’s not astrology’s fault — or yours.
In the real world, you probably won’t find many charts that seem truly perfect. You just do your best and then discuss the results honestly with the client, balancing the pros and cons, just like everything else. If you could “elect” over a period of a decade or two, you might be able to come up with a chart that seemed flawless. That’s not the real world, though. In practice, you always have to choose the “lesser evil.” The art lies in learning to recognize it!
Sometimes, you will simply not come up with any workable chart at all. I remember a summer not long ago when Saturn was in Pisces and Venus went retrograde in Virgo, opposing it for several weeks — I couldn’t, in clear conscience, recommend any marriage dates under that energy. That frustrated some people, but I felt that I had to be truthful about what I saw. Patience was the lesson!
When my wife, Jodie, published the first book in her trilogy, The Rhymer and the Ravens, we wrote a local “rock opera” based upon it. I elected a chart for our first performance with Jupiter rising in Sagittarius. Almost instantly, everything went ballistic — Jupiter-fashion! We were flooded with volunteers, creative ideas, and enthusiasm. We sprouted a big band, a troupe of 15 dancers, costumers, lighting technicians — everything but an elephant. At one show, we played on a 40-foot, three-level stage designed as a Viking dragon ship. At our final performance, we sold out the best of the local performance venues and turned away a hundred people. The whole experience was like having the proverbial tiger by the tail. It completely dominated our lives in every way for a couple of years, which wasn’t what we had really intended. I felt like Mickey Mouse in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” casting his spell on those ever-multiplying brooms. It was a good experience, but it taught me a valuable lesson: Never underestimate the power of Electional astrology!
Reference
1. Steven Forrest, The Changing Sky, San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1998.
© 2001 Steven Forrest – all rights reserved
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