An Introduction to Electional Astrology – A Beginners Guide

19 May An Introduction to Electional Astrology – A Beginners Guide

Of all things you can do with astrology, electional astrology is arguably the coolest.

If you believe in “going with the energy flow of the universe and not against it”, then you’ll be pleased to know that electional astrology is all about that.

This discipline allows you to do the right thing at the right time, and when used correctly, electional charts can make anyone’s life easier.

That said, before skipping to the main section of the post and looking at how you can apply electional astrology to different areas of your own life, let’s start with the basics and ensure we’re both on the same page.

What is astrology?

Simply put, Astrology is the interpretation and study of the motion of the planets (as seen from earth) against the belt of stars known as the zodiac.

Since the beginning of time, astrology has been used to explain and predict people’s daily lives. And even though most individuals today know of astrology due to the sun sign columns in magazines and newspapers, the sun is just a minor part of the puzzle.

Other forms of astrology include Chinese astrology, Indian astrology, horary astrology, medical astrology, mundane astrology, and so on. But today we’re interested in electional astrology.

What is electional astrology?

Electional astrology (also known as event astrology) is a form of astrology focused on using astrology to plan the best time to start an action or project. In the distant past, this practice was used primarily for affairs of the state including, but not limited to, time to plant crops, go to war, make peace, or even the most astrologically appropriate time to crown the new king.

Eventually, however, electional astrology moved out of the exclusivity of royal hands. And thanks to this shift, we can apply electional astrology to more common issues of the modern era, such as the best time to build a home, get married, or even start a business.

Medical professionals would also use these same tricks when medicating and treating their patients, and magicians would employ the same techniques when creating their talismanic pieces.

As you can tell, the ripples of electional astrology are far-reaching.

Most importantly, even people who’re not big fans of astrology still take advantage of the practice without their knowledge. Take gardeners and farmers, for instance. They still use solar and lunar cycles to time the different phases of their fields and gardens (most (if not all) of them do not plant corn in December.)

In addition to that, people also tend to consider the best times to get certain things done, such us using Monday morning to go grocery shopping because it’s easier than Saturday afternoons.

That said, you ought to understand that there is no guarantee that applying electional astrology to a project means it will finish successfully. But you also ought to know that your definition of “successful” at the end of the said project might be totally different compared to a later point in your life (when you’re able to view the project with a wider scope.)

To put it simply, even if an outcome seems unsuccessful today, that does not mean it will not work out to your benefit in the grand scheme of things. As they say, “A blessing in disguise.”

Now that you understand what electional astrology is, let us skip to the main section of the post and start by looking at its purpose.

The true purpose of electional astrology

Electional astrology is not a tool you can use to overcome every single bad thing you have in your birth chart. In no shape or form can it help you completely avoid every single thing brought to you by the challenges of your sun sign.

The only way you can overcome your natal chart is through getting enlightened, taking responsibility for everything going on around you on the wider scale, and making moves that are in line with the universe.

With that in mind, electional astrology will help you choose the most beneficial time that’ll push you in the right direction, thus helping you avoid the negative aspects presented by your birth chart or at the very least, handle them with slightly more ease.

Always remember, there is no such thing as a perfect electional horoscope. Whichever moment you pick will present its unique challenges and an astrologer’s main goal is to help you find a time that’ll allow you to navigate the situation calmly and with more flexibility.

How to choose the right time using electional astrology

The most essential thing to observe while picking the best time for an event is the position of the moon in the sky. Its phase has to be nicely adjusted to match what you’re looking forward to doing.

For instance, if you intend to expand your business, then the Moon should be waxing, which simply means that the light of the moon should be increasing (or the moon transitioning from a New Moon to the Full Moon.)

On the other hand, if the event you have in mind is a situation you would like to diminish (such as getting rid of excessive body hair or going on a diet to lose weight), then the moon should be waning, which simply means its light should be decreasing from the Full Moon back to the New Moon.

Ancient civilizations used the mansions of the moon as well: which are the 28 sky sectors representing each lunar day (just like the 12 different sky sectors representing the zodiacal signs.) These mansions of the moon are still pretty useful today, so make sure you watch out for them and even use them whenever possible.

What’s more? Make sure you consider the Moon in signs as well. You do not want a Pisces moon in your businesses’ natal chart or Taurus Moon when you are about to start a spiritual enterprise. More on this in the next section.

The Moon’s aspects are extremely essential as well. Don’t start a venture during the void of course Moon phase, lest the business crashes or fails to yield any positive results. The aspects will disclose the less subtle parts of your story while the last Moon’s aspect before the Moon leaves its current sign will show how the matter will end.

The moon in the 12 Sun Signs

Here is a straightforward list of what the Moon represents in the 12 sun signs.

1. In Aries,

Promotion and one-man shows where only one individual is in charge. It doesn’t work for group activities or co-operations.

2. In Taurus,

Material and substantial actions that yield solid results, such as farming and gardening. Other activities include financial undertakings and those that involve personal possessions like home décor, music, starting a potential long term relationship, or applying for a loan.

3. In Gemini,

Mental and communicative actions, and at least two activities at once. Additional activities include emails and letters, learning, errands, and reading.

4. In Cancer,

Domestic activities and those that require awareness of one’s needs, such as home décor and family get-togethers.

5. In Leo,

Activities involving children, creative undertakings, generous activities, risk-taking, and activities where personal recognition is necessary.

6. In Virgo,

Routine activities, services, work activities, and mental pursuits. Also, feel free to pursue any activity that requires attention to details.

7. In Libra,

Activities that involve cooperation and teamwork, relationship issues, related to beauty, and undertakings involving self-examination.

8. In Scorpio,

Research, getting rid of old possessions, self-examination, psychological examinations, intimacy issues, accounting, and taxes.

9. In Sagittarius,

Adventurous undertakings that involve physical activity, sports, advertising, higher education, “winging it”, and travel.

10. In Capricorn,

Long term activities that can yield slow, but steady outcomes such as practical investments, making a business plan, career issues, and other practical activities.

11. In Aquarius,

Radical or unusual undertakings like joining a new group, trying something new, group projects, and social pursuits.

12. In Pisces,

Going on a retreat, activities involving water, drama, music, inner development, spiritual or mystical pursuits, and imaginative undertakings.

Lunar events and aspects in electional astrology

Since the Moon moves the fastest through the signs compared to all other planets, it also creates the highest number of aspects compared to other ruling planets (and even usually in rapid succession.) Amd as I hinted in the previous section, every aspect the moon forms while at a specific sun sign signifies an essential event.

But you also ought to note that the only aspects that really matter in the realm of electional astrology are the Ptolemaic aspects. These include the Sextile (60°, planets in different elements but same polarity), the Square (90°, planets in a similar modality), the Trine (120°, planets in a similar element), the Opposition (180°, planets in opposing sun signs), and the Conjunction (0°, planets in a similar sign.)

These aspects are also referred to as “Major Aspects.” Here is a detailed guide to help you learn more about them. That said, in the guide, you will also learn that most astrologers today count the Quincunx (150°) as a major aspect. And even though it’s undeniably an essential energy, it’s not included in Electional Astrology. At least not when the Moon is concerned.

Working with the ruling planets and houses in electional astrology

Astrologers familiar with more advanced techniques of electional astrology also work with ruling planets of the houses of elected charts. But you ought to understand that electional astrology employs the classical planets rulership system. Here is a detailed guide on ruling planets in astrology.

But for the sake of this guide, here is a brief list of sun signs and their classical ruling planets.

1. Aries is ruled by Mars
2. Taurus is ruled by Venus
3. Gemini is ruled by Mercury
4. Cancer is ruled by the Moon
5. Leo is ruled by the Sun
6. Virgo is ruled by Mercury
7. Libra is ruled by Venus
8. Scorpio is ruled by Mars
9. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter
10. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn
11. Aquarius is ruled by Saturn
12. Pisces is ruled by Jupiter

As you may have noticed in this classical rulership system, all the outer planets don’t rule any sun signs, while all other planets (except the Moon and Sun) rule two zodiac signs each.

Now let’s look at the significance of the houses.

As you will see in the list below, houses in electional astrology represent different areas of our lives and even influence the outcome of events. For instance, if you intend to ask a friend for a loan, then you will want to see a connection between the 8^th house’s ruler (which represents other people’s money) and either the 2^nd house (your money) or the 1^st house (you). Here is a list that will briefly describe what the houses in electional astrology represent.

1. First House – This house represents you, the individual asking the question. The house’s ruler represents all your roles in the events.
2. Second House – This house represents personal possessions, your finances, and money.
3. Third House – This house represents the exchange of information, letters, and communication.
4. Fourth House – This house represents your family, your private life, and your home.
5. Fifth House – This house represents sexual and romantic partners, love affairs, speculation, and gambling.
6. Sixth House – This house represents unequal relationships (master-servant), illnesses, and work (job-related issues.)
7. Seventh House – This house represents open enemies as well as general people in your life (such as spouses or committed love interests)
8. Eighth House – This house represents your partner’s resources and other people’s money
9. Ninth House – This house represents philosophy, higher education, travel, and religion.
10. Tenth House – This house represents your reputation and public face, people in authority, and your boss
11. Eleventh House – This house represents peers and friends
12. Twelfth House – This house represents imprisonment and hidden enemies

Needless to say, in electional astrology, some houses tend to be more essential compared to others. More often than not, the most common type of electional chart will involve the ability of two individuals to come to an agreement. So in most scenarios, this implies finding the time the ruler of the First House (which represents you) and the Seventh House’s ruler (the other party) will be in a favorable aspect to each other.

General rules of electional charts

1. Always pick a rising sun that supports whatever it is you’re about to do. For instance, choose Sagittarius, Virgo, or Gemini if you’re looking forward to publishing a book.
2. Lunar nodes are rarely used in Electional Astrology. But when they’re used, the general rule states that the South Node is considered unfavorable but the North Node lucky.
3. Mutable signs are flexible and cardinal signs are great for new events and ventures that need energy and initiative. Fixed signs, on the other hand, have a lasting quality, even though sometimes it might take a long time to get the results. Here is a detailed guide on the 3 qualities in astrology.
4. Only use applying aspects. By the time aspects separate the elected activity might be over.
5. The moon is the primary consideration in electional charts and most astrological calendars have daily lunar aspects that make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
6. Remember the following natures of the planets and apply them in areas they’re best suited to:
7. You need to handle Pluto’s intensity with care, but the planet will be very helpful in areas where power play is necessary.
8. A 10^th or 1^st house Neptune might be perfectly suited for activities where creativity and glamour counts, such as initiating a movie script. Also apply it in endeavors involving oil and shipping.
9. A nicely placed Uranus is great for unique ventures that involve gadgetry, novelties, computers, and other inventions.
10. A strong Saturn is needed for most business activities because it embodies organization and discipline.
11. Travel related activities will benefit from Jupiter in high focus
12. If you intend to begin a strenuous exercise program, then place Mars at an angle.
13. A strongly placed Venus will favor artistic pursuits.
14. Place Mercury in a prominent position if you intend to sell your car
15. Avoid a Venus retrograde when picking the perfect time to acquire an expensive object or time to get married. Mars retrograde, on the other hand, is not advisable when you’re buying machinery.

If you loved this article on Electional Astrology, then I’m confident you’ll love this one on astrology terms (a comprehensive guide.)