When it comes to asking direct questions, especially those involving a short or yes/no type answer, one very common astrological technique is to cast a horary chart. Horary astrology - literally meaning 'of the hour' astrology - works on the premise that each moment in time contains the symbolism of past, present and future events. A chart is erected for the precise time a question is posed ( or viewed by the astrologer if answering on someone elses behalf) in the location where the chart is to be read. The symbolism is then delineated according to specific rules of judgement passed down through the ages.
Horary is not my speciality at all and the true masters of this art deserve great respect for their understanding of all the intricate rules that apply. On my site you will be directed to the brilliant horary astrologer Pamela Robertson, a favoured protege of John Frawley.
Over the years however, I have discovered that 'all roads lead to Rome'. I see the horary chart as a divinatory tool when used in this way and the answer is always there, even though you may arrive at it in different way to the established norm. Whether you want to use rune stones, tarot cards, chuck yarrow stalks in the air to form hexagrams or dig holes in the sand, your tool of choice yields a symbolic answer. Each to their own as they say. So with this in mind, I use an amalgamation of methods drawn from ancient and modern astrologers findings.
If you wish to learn about the 'proper' traditional horary technique or see it being used on a daily basis I recommend you visit these sites:
If you wish to learn about the 'proper' traditional horary technique or see it being used on a daily basis I recommend you visit these sites:
or a more DIY friendly site Celeste Teal
I am going to look at my own horary chart about the Election.
'Harrison or Cleveland for the Presidency' is a question that appears in the book Horary Astrology by Alan Leo published by L.N. Fowler in the early 1900's
In this book it is said that the first name in the question is taken to be represented by the ascendant and the second name by the descendant and the figure judged from there, turning the chart as one goes. (I have covered turning the chart in a previous newsletter that you can access from my website). That sounds good enough to me. So if we cast a chart for now and ask in earnest 'Obama or McCain for the presidency' let's see what we get - I'm literally doing this as I go along. So here's the chart erected for 12.53 on 22 Sep 2008 in Windsor, UK.
The rules which horary astrologers follow before reading a chart are known as Strictures against Judgment. One of which is that when the first or last 3 degrees of a sign is rising the question is not safe to judge as it hasn't developed sufficiently. Ah- ha. So this is interesting straight off the bat for 2 reasons - well actually 3 and here they are:-
1) Many astrologers think that Obama may be elected but not make it to inauguration* due to fair means or foul ( most likely the latter). The question posed is Obama or McCain for Presidency? Not who will get inaugurated - subtle differences mean a lot in horary.
2) Mercury is stationary in this chart at 22 degrees. this means it is about to turn on it's heels. Mercury in this chart represents the Job of President ( 10th ruled by Mercury) and it represents John McCain as ruler of the 7th. So Mercury is like someone who has got to a dead end and has no option but to turn around and go back. Some say it is like a sick man about to get sicker. Can we take this to literally mean it is McCain who won't make it to the the inauguration (or maybe even the ballot box)?
and 3) With a Saturn/Uranus opposition in the sky, exact on the day of the proposed election, Nov 4 2008, I have felt we can either expect a very close result OR a maybe even a postponed election day and I say this because the election itself would be represented by Saturn in Virgo (literally voting for a job or leader). Uranus in Pisces could be taken as unexpected chaos or an unprecedented situation. Uranus occupying the 3rd house of Obama and the 9th of McCain in this chart does suggest something of this nature i.e., an unexpected announcement or unprecedented legal move or a glitch in the electronic voting system. I can't say if it is this but it's a possibility.
Hmmm. So if we return to our chart and ignore the rules about judgement and look at it anyway (I'm a uranian rebel!) the situations above actually take on even more weight. Why? Well because with the Sun at the very top of the chart (being secondary natural significator of the presidency) and the MC/IC axis being less that one degree away from changing to the Cardinal axis 'World point' of Libra/Aries, this reinforces the rule that this chart is not fit to judge because something is about to change. Raphael says that in cases of charts with 3 or less degrees rising he often found that either the querant (or that quesited) relinquishes his object, alters his mind or nothing comes of the matter (p50 Horary astrology). Navarro, another horary supremo, says that the 29th degree shows misfortune connected with the matter. the person or the matter asked about is changing.
I am going to look at my own horary chart about the Election.
'Harrison or Cleveland for the Presidency' is a question that appears in the book Horary Astrology by Alan Leo published by L.N. Fowler in the early 1900's
In this book it is said that the first name in the question is taken to be represented by the ascendant and the second name by the descendant and the figure judged from there, turning the chart as one goes. (I have covered turning the chart in a previous newsletter that you can access from my website). That sounds good enough to me. So if we cast a chart for now and ask in earnest 'Obama or McCain for the presidency' let's see what we get - I'm literally doing this as I go along. So here's the chart erected for 12.53 on 22 Sep 2008 in Windsor, UK.
The rules which horary astrologers follow before reading a chart are known as Strictures against Judgment. One of which is that when the first or last 3 degrees of a sign is rising the question is not safe to judge as it hasn't developed sufficiently. Ah- ha. So this is interesting straight off the bat for 2 reasons - well actually 3 and here they are:-1) Many astrologers think that Obama may be elected but not make it to inauguration* due to fair means or foul ( most likely the latter). The question posed is Obama or McCain for Presidency? Not who will get inaugurated - subtle differences mean a lot in horary.
2) Mercury is stationary in this chart at 22 degrees. this means it is about to turn on it's heels. Mercury in this chart represents the Job of President ( 10th ruled by Mercury) and it represents John McCain as ruler of the 7th. So Mercury is like someone who has got to a dead end and has no option but to turn around and go back. Some say it is like a sick man about to get sicker. Can we take this to literally mean it is McCain who won't make it to the the inauguration (or maybe even the ballot box)?
and 3) With a Saturn/Uranus opposition in the sky, exact on the day of the proposed election, Nov 4 2008, I have felt we can either expect a very close result OR a maybe even a postponed election day and I say this because the election itself would be represented by Saturn in Virgo (literally voting for a job or leader). Uranus in Pisces could be taken as unexpected chaos or an unprecedented situation. Uranus occupying the 3rd house of Obama and the 9th of McCain in this chart does suggest something of this nature i.e., an unexpected announcement or unprecedented legal move or a glitch in the electronic voting system. I can't say if it is this but it's a possibility.
Hmmm. So if we return to our chart and ignore the rules about judgement and look at it anyway (I'm a uranian rebel!) the situations above actually take on even more weight. Why? Well because with the Sun at the very top of the chart (being secondary natural significator of the presidency) and the MC/IC axis being less that one degree away from changing to the Cardinal axis 'World point' of Libra/Aries, this reinforces the rule that this chart is not fit to judge because something is about to change. Raphael says that in cases of charts with 3 or less degrees rising he often found that either the querant (or that quesited) relinquishes his object, alters his mind or nothing comes of the matter (p50 Horary astrology). Navarro, another horary supremo, says that the 29th degree shows misfortune connected with the matter. the person or the matter asked about is changing.
The Moon being fast in motion also suggests things are moving fast and it is out of bounds so America (Cancer) is in uncharted territory. When the Moon is quincunx the Ascendant - as it is here - Navarro says; the activity must take some form of reorganisation, so the theme persists. Unfortunately the Sun moves into the sign of its fall in Libra so the change to 9th and 3rd house matters will not be for the better.
Timing when any 'change' might occur would come from how many hours, days or weeks we equate to 29.16 Virgo. It would be 14 minutes until a change of sign, so as it is moveable sign (Virgo) on an angle we know from the rules to use days. So 14 days until 'the change' of the 10th ruling the Job or Leader and 9 days until the Sun ruling the 9th of foreign affairs, issues of morality, education, matters of the clergy or religion and religious difficulties, legalities, constitutional or otherwise etc. And as the Sun rules McCain's turned 3rd of brethren, communication, debate etc., general Mercury ruled matters could be about to go downhill or the debates will not do him much good.
Returning to the chart, if we look at the 2 Sag rising (Obama). This degree of the zodiac is associated with the fixed stars Dschubba (Isidris) which is said causes; sudden assaults, malevolence, immorality and shamelessness. (Robson). Yed Posterior said to give a passionate, blindly good-hearted, wasteful and easily seduced nature, together with little happiness, unseen dangers, enmity, strife and slander. Pliny said that it occasioned much mortality by poisoning. This constellation has also been called Aesculapius and held to rule medicines. By the Kabbalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump "The Lightning Struck Tower". (Robson). So there's Uranus again (the tower) and finally Acrab.....'Situated on the head of the Scorpion, not where its armament is, which is at the rear. It is a fighter of great skill and characterizes Mars-Saturn perfectly. Anyone with this star strong in their horoscope is likely to show a patient and wary approach to any situation, but this will belie the skilled determination which will then be brought to bear. Scorpio is famous for the surgeons born in it and this star shows up just the qualities which they need to have. The same applies to generals, policemen, private investigators and secret service agents, many of whom have this star well placed and aspected. In research of all other kinds too, it distinguishes the real adept'. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).
The ascending sign of 2 Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter so if we are to go ahead and judge the chart, Obama is shown by Jupiter in the 2nd house in Capricorn the sign of leadership! Jupiter perfectly describes him as the lawyer too. Jupiter in Capricorn is disposited by Saturn in Virgo in the 9th and that is disposited by Mercury in the 10th. So Obama is caught up with McCain (Mercury); both are in the position of seeking the job (10th) but also both are caught up with Mars. What does Mars represent? Obviously fighting, strife and strong debate but also as ruler of the 5th and 12th, speculation and the stock market (5th), or even hidden (12th) love affairs or pregnancy (5th) and matters to do with children. More likely though that this relates to the financial turmoil as the Moon is in the 8th, the house of debts and taxes in the sign of Cancer (the mother, nurturing and America). Moon in Cancer in the 8th with this 5th/12th emphasis also strongly points to the right to life issue for unborn children being a big deciding factor, especially for swing voters. It also points to the sorrow of the country at this time
The original question is about the position which is ruled by the tenth house. For Obama this is Virgo ruled by Mercury so we look for an aspect between Mercury and Jupiter. There is no aspect but Mercury - the job is currently stationary and about to move back his way i.e. towards Jupiter by 6th October when they square off. Again, we can take this to be the debates First Obama has to tackle this Mars in Libra (this will involve diplomatic issues and maybe attacks on or from a woman or women, verbal or physical) but as Venus is just about to change signs that too is currently a moveable feast. All in all, so far it is looking like it's too early to call from this chart (which didn't wanted to be judged anyway!).
Timing when any 'change' might occur would come from how many hours, days or weeks we equate to 29.16 Virgo. It would be 14 minutes until a change of sign, so as it is moveable sign (Virgo) on an angle we know from the rules to use days. So 14 days until 'the change' of the 10th ruling the Job or Leader and 9 days until the Sun ruling the 9th of foreign affairs, issues of morality, education, matters of the clergy or religion and religious difficulties, legalities, constitutional or otherwise etc. And as the Sun rules McCain's turned 3rd of brethren, communication, debate etc., general Mercury ruled matters could be about to go downhill or the debates will not do him much good.
Returning to the chart, if we look at the 2 Sag rising (Obama). This degree of the zodiac is associated with the fixed stars Dschubba (Isidris) which is said causes; sudden assaults, malevolence, immorality and shamelessness. (Robson). Yed Posterior said to give a passionate, blindly good-hearted, wasteful and easily seduced nature, together with little happiness, unseen dangers, enmity, strife and slander. Pliny said that it occasioned much mortality by poisoning. This constellation has also been called Aesculapius and held to rule medicines. By the Kabbalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump "The Lightning Struck Tower". (Robson). So there's Uranus again (the tower) and finally Acrab.....'Situated on the head of the Scorpion, not where its armament is, which is at the rear. It is a fighter of great skill and characterizes Mars-Saturn perfectly. Anyone with this star strong in their horoscope is likely to show a patient and wary approach to any situation, but this will belie the skilled determination which will then be brought to bear. Scorpio is famous for the surgeons born in it and this star shows up just the qualities which they need to have. The same applies to generals, policemen, private investigators and secret service agents, many of whom have this star well placed and aspected. In research of all other kinds too, it distinguishes the real adept'. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).
The ascending sign of 2 Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter so if we are to go ahead and judge the chart, Obama is shown by Jupiter in the 2nd house in Capricorn the sign of leadership! Jupiter perfectly describes him as the lawyer too. Jupiter in Capricorn is disposited by Saturn in Virgo in the 9th and that is disposited by Mercury in the 10th. So Obama is caught up with McCain (Mercury); both are in the position of seeking the job (10th) but also both are caught up with Mars. What does Mars represent? Obviously fighting, strife and strong debate but also as ruler of the 5th and 12th, speculation and the stock market (5th), or even hidden (12th) love affairs or pregnancy (5th) and matters to do with children. More likely though that this relates to the financial turmoil as the Moon is in the 8th, the house of debts and taxes in the sign of Cancer (the mother, nurturing and America). Moon in Cancer in the 8th with this 5th/12th emphasis also strongly points to the right to life issue for unborn children being a big deciding factor, especially for swing voters. It also points to the sorrow of the country at this time
The original question is about the position which is ruled by the tenth house. For Obama this is Virgo ruled by Mercury so we look for an aspect between Mercury and Jupiter. There is no aspect but Mercury - the job is currently stationary and about to move back his way i.e. towards Jupiter by 6th October when they square off. Again, we can take this to be the debates First Obama has to tackle this Mars in Libra (this will involve diplomatic issues and maybe attacks on or from a woman or women, verbal or physical) but as Venus is just about to change signs that too is currently a moveable feast. All in all, so far it is looking like it's too early to call from this chart (which didn't wanted to be judged anyway!).
Let's look at McCain. The ruler of the 7th cusp rules McCain and this is Mercury. Neither Jupiter as Obama, nor Mercury as McCain, are malefic so they are both nice guys but Mercury is very close to Mars which heat from women. Also as I said Mercury is in a bad way as he's stationary RX. Mars rules his turned 6th in this chart so I wonder if his health is bothering him now or is this a health related policy issue ( like free healthcare) or his age is against him. Mars also rules his turned 11th so maybe McCain feels under attack from the party benefactors or TV station coverage. McCain is also so closely tied to the economic problems instigated by his party that it could be that which is weakening him. It looks like McCain could also have a lot of emotionally based or family issues with planets in his turned 4th. Pluto in his 7th points to problems with his wife or another parnership(business) but something is about to change. 4th also rules things like the homeland security.
Moving back to the 5th house, this is often seen as the 'theatre' of war as well as the stock market floor, so by polarity the 11th is connected. With Moon in the candidates turned 2nd/8th axis the American people are more concerned about taxes, debt and their homes and food on the table etc ( all lunar ruled things) than in any recent election. The Moon is strong in its own sign - a mark of American's love of their country - but it makes no significant aspect and remember it's out of bounds, so it's like the American people are adrift or everything is too up in the air at the moment. The Moon is also co-signifcator in any horary question but still makes no aspect except a wide applying opposiiton to Jupiter ( Obama).
The upshot then - the chart is not valid. It is too early to tell as things have yet to happen but if one were to have to say one way or another from it, then in my view, Obama is in a far stronger position than McCain. Asking the question who will win the Presidency doesn't however, as we saw in 2000, ensure that the person with the most votes will lead!
Having said that let's leave horary alone and get to what I know best, straightforward astrological interpretation. From looking at the general transits of the next 6 months I feel that Pluto into Capricorn speaks of the huge changes that lie ahead in removing abuse of power from the 'corridors of power'. Saturn opposite Uranus will bring nothing less than a revolution (paradigm shift) in the way things have been done in the past - although some things may literally revolt us for a while as the change becomes accepted. Venus is the natural 10th house ruler of Obama's sign, Leo, then Venus move into Sagittarius (ruled by Jupiter) for the election and the tr Moon conjoins his natal Jupiter on inauguration day - Jan 2009 just after his Jupiter return. Additionally Mercury dispositer of tr Saturn ( leadership) is in trine to his natal Venus (his 10th ruler) on election day, the Sun crosses his solar angle and Pluto opposes Venus (his solar 10th) ruler on inauguration day.
Furthermore - as if any 'more' is needed - Saturn in Virgo represents the 'black man' (black = Saturn) and Uranus in Pisces speaks of 'the two maverick's' (Uranus); John McCain and Sarah 'Barracuda' Palin ( a Barracuda being a fish and fish = Uranus in Pisces) Uranus is weaker than Saturn at the election due to it being Rx. So in conclusion then it is my firm and considered opinion that Barack Obama will be elected as the first Black President of the United States of America.
* Note I have a different view of Barack's natal Mars in the 8th, which many take to be malefic - namely that in esoteric astrology it marks one out as being on the path of discipleship and the ability to trasnform material resources into group and spiritual resources.
* Note I have a different view of Barack's natal Mars in the 8th, which many take to be malefic - namely that in esoteric astrology it marks one out as being on the path of discipleship and the ability to trasnform material resources into group and spiritual resources.
