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Electional Astrology: How to Find Auspicious Dates and Times

The Astrology Podcast・158 minutes read

Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim discuss the importance of electional astrology, focusing on selecting auspicious moments for events to ensure desirable outcomes and success. They provide insights on key elements like the ruler of the Ascendant, the Moon, angular houses, and planetary aspects, emphasizing the need to prioritize these factors in creating successful electional charts.

Insights

Electional astrology involves selecting auspicious moments for events to influence their outcomes positively.
The 'doctrine of origin' by Geoffrey Cornelius suggests that the planetary alignment at the event's start impacts its future.
Electional astrology allows individuals to proactively choose propitious moments for initiating actions.
The history of electional astrology dates back to Mesopotamia and Dorotheus of Sidon's work in the late 1st century CE.
Joan Quigley, Ronald Reagan's astrologer, utilized electional astrology for various events during his presidency.
In electional astrology, the most crucial symbolic act at the elected time initiates the event or venture.
The importance of the ruler of the Ascendant, Moon, angular houses, and benefic aspects in creating successful electional charts.

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Recent questions

What is electional astrology?
Electional astrology involves selecting auspicious moments for events.
How does electional astrology impact outcomes?
Electional astrology allows proactive selection of favorable moments.
What is the history of electional astrology?
Electional astrology dates back to Mesopotamia and Dorotheus of Sidon.
How can electional astrology be applied?
Electional astrology is used for weddings, business ventures, and more.
What are key elements in electional charts?
Key elements include the ruler of the Ascendant and the Moon.

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Summary

00:00

Choosing Auspicious Moments in Electional Astrology

Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim discuss electional astrology in Episode 190 of The Astrology Podcast.
They emphasize the importance of selecting an auspicious electional chart for the episode, dated January 16, 2019, starting at 9:29 AM.
The podcast offers subscriber benefits like early access to episodes and higher quality recordings.
Both hosts have experience in electional astrology, previously highlighting auspicious charts in a column for The Mountain Astrologer Magazine.
Electional astrology involves casting charts for the beginning of events or ventures to predict their nature and future outcomes.
Geoffrey Cornelius' 'doctrine of origin' underpins electional astrology, suggesting that the alignment of planets at the start of an event influences its future.
Electional astrology allows individuals to proactively choose auspicious moments to initiate actions for desired outcomes.
The term 'inceptional astrology' is sometimes used interchangeably with electional astrology, focusing on the deliberate selection of starting moments.
The history of electional astrology traces back to Mesopotamia and Dorotheus of Sidon's influential work in the late 1st century CE.
Horary astrology likely evolved from electional astrology, with consultation charts possibly serving as precursors to horary astrology in the Medieval tradition.

12:39

"Significant Success: Electional Astrology for Important Events"

Electional astrology became popular in Medieval and Renaissance periods.
Electional astrology can be applied to various events, but usually for important matters like weddings or business incorporations.
People use electional astrology for major life events or ventures they want to succeed.
Ronald Reagan's use of electional astrology was noticed due to important events held at odd hours.
Electional astrology should only be used for significant events to avoid becoming neurotic.
Some astrologers use electional astrology daily to determine better or worse times for activities.
Joan Quigley, Ronald Reagan's astrologer, used electional astrology for various events during his presidency.
Electional astrology can be used for medical procedures, political events, and treaties.
Electional astrology can also be used to ensure negative outcomes if desired.
In electional astrology, the most important symbolic act at the elected time initiates the venture or event.

25:24

"Symbolic Moments in Electional Astrology"

The moment of saying "I do" is considered the beginning of a marriage, symbolically significant even though signing the marriage certificate follows closely.
The act of vowing to be married is crucial, as walking off before this moment would not be considered a marriage.
The conception of a marriage is distinct from the legal union, with the former occurring when the couple first got together.
Multiple important moments in events like weddings can be aligned under the same rising sign for symbolic significance.
Different significant moments in processes like book writing can be elected using different charts during different phases.
The moment of departure for a trip is considered the most symbolically important, marking the inception of the journey.
Paying attention to electional charts for trips can significantly impact the outcome of the journey.
Noting the time major events start in life can serve as a foundation for learning electional astrology.
Negative examples can be as instructive as positive ones in learning electional astrology.
Two main approaches to electional astrology include creating a positive chart based on astrological rules and making a chart that mimics the event being initiated.

37:41

Navigating Value Judgments in Astrology

Value judgments are crucial in astrology, distinguishing between positive and negative outcomes.
Inception of events often mirrors their outcomes, guiding decision-making in astrology.
The debate on applying value judgments in natal astrology is complex due to subjective experiences.
Electional astrology focuses on determining the success of specific events like marriages or business ventures.
Traditional rules in astrology dictate positive or challenging placements for success.
Perfect charts do not exist in astrology, emphasizing the need to prioritize and balance elements.
Experience and practice are essential in mastering electional astrology, requiring trial-and-error.
Technical knowledge aids in learning astrology but can complicate decision-making due to imperfections.
Accepting imperfections in charts and prioritizing elements are key skills in electional astrology.
Managing expectations is crucial in astrology, as elections aim to improve outcomes rather than guarantee perfection.

50:37

"Timing crucial in electional astrology outcomes"

Alteration in trajectory at the start significantly impacts long-term outcomes.
Electional astrology is likened to bowling in the conversation.
The importance of clearly defining the time frame for any electional activity is emphasized.
Focus on charts and dates available within the defined time frame, ignoring everything outside it.
Practical example: If a client must get married between June 21 and August 22, only consider charts within that time frame.
Stress on setting the location before anything else in electional astrology.
The necessity of judging individual charts within the time frame relative to each other.
Longer time spans offer more astrological options but require more work to analyze.
Changing the time frame for an electional chart can significantly impact the outcome.
Acceptance that electional astrology cannot fully override fate and must work within the constraints of the birth chart.

01:02:35

Reviving Electional Astrology: Ancient Wisdom Resurfaces

Modern astrology shifted towards psychological astrology in the late 20th century, leading to a lack of books on electional astrology.
Traditional and older forms of astrology have been revived, allowing for a resurgence in electional astrology.
Studying ancient works on electional astrology revealed consistent factors to focus on in electional charts.
The most crucial elements in any electional chart are the ruler of the Ascendant and the Moon.
The ruler of the Ascendant represents the initiator of action at the time of the election.
The condition of the ruler of the Ascendant is determined by its sign, house placement, and aspects.
Pay attention to the ruler of the Ascendant's placement in terms of zodiac signs, houses, and aspects.
Use the traditional rulership scheme for signs and whole sign houses for house placements.
The Sun, for example, rules Leo, so if the Ascendant is in Leo, the Sun becomes the ruler of the Ascendant.
Consider the sign and house placement, as well as aspects, of the ruler of the Ascendant in an electional chart.

01:15:19

"Ruler of Ascendant: Key to Success"

The ruler of the Ascendant is the primary planet in the chart, representing the individual and their goals.
A positive placement involves the ruler being dignified by sign placement, such as being in its own rulership.
Using an ephemeris can help identify periods when planets are dignified by being in their own domicile or exaltation.
Good houses in traditional astrology include angular houses and those that aspect the Ascendant positively.
The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th houses are considered good, while the 12th, 8th, 6th, and 2nd houses are challenging.
Placing the ruler of the Ascendant in a good house is ideal for electional charts, avoiding bad houses unless necessary.
Angular houses like the 10th are powerful and supportive in electional charts.
Mutual reception, where planets exchange signs, can be as beneficial as being in domicile or exaltation.
The ruler of the Ascendant should ideally be dignified by sign, in a good house, and aspected by benefic planets like Venus and Jupiter.
Avoid hard aspects from malefic planets like Mars and Saturn for a successful electional chart.

01:27:23

"Mastering Electional Astrology for Future Predictions"

Electional astrology involves understanding applying versus separating aspects between planets in a chart.
Applying aspects indicate future developments, while separating aspects signify past events.
Emphasis is placed on applying aspects in electional astrology to predict upcoming occurrences.
Benefic planets like the Ascendant ruler and Moon should ideally be applying to benefic planets in a chart.
In a chart example, Mercury separating from a malefic and applying to a benefic signifies positive future outcomes.
Conversely, if Mercury is applying to a malefic and separating from a benefic, it indicates less favorable circumstances.
Sign-based aspects from benefics to the ruler of the Ascendant are positive, with degree-based aspects being even more beneficial.
Hard aspects like conjunction, square, and opposition from malefics should be avoided in electional charts.
Easy aspects like trine or sextile from malefics can be acceptable, but a lack of aspect is sometimes the best scenario.
The ruler of the Ascendant should be well-placed by sign, house, and aspect, with supporting aspects from benefics and no challenging aspects from malefics.

01:39:44

Optimizing Moon and Angularity in Electional Charts

Building in a window of opportunities is crucial to know the start and endpoint of the window for meeting electional criteria within a specific time span.
The chart discussed has Pisces rising, with Jupiter as the ruler of the Ascendant in Sagittarius in the 10th house, forming a conjunction with Venus and having no hard aspects by Mars and Saturn.
The Moon is highlighted as the second primary significator in an electional chart, acting as a general significator for the election and its sequence of events.
Criteria for placing the Moon well in a chart include ensuring it is in a good zodiacal sign, house, and has positive aspects with other planets.
The importance of placing the Moon in a good sign, house, and having positive aspects is emphasized, with examples provided for better understanding.
Evaluating the condition of the Moon and its ruler is crucial in determining the flow of events in an electional chart, with specific placements indicating initial and later outcomes.
Placing the Moon in its own sign is preferred for self-sufficiency, similar to the ruler of the Ascendant, to avoid complications in assessing its condition.
Angularity in electional charts focuses on planets in angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) being more prominent, with an emphasis on positive or benefic planets for better outcomes.
The significance of angular houses in electional charts is highlighted, with a focus on making benefic planets more prominent and mitigating malefic influences.
Emphasizing the importance of angular houses and the placement of planets within them for a successful electional chart is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.

01:51:27

Optimize Electional Astrology with Angular Planets

Avoid making malefic planets angular in the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th houses to prevent their energy from being emphasized.
Emphasis in astrology comes through angular placements, so be cautious with your choices.
Start by focusing on whole sign house placements to determine angular planets.
Angular houses are the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th, with other signs becoming angular based on the rising sign.
Prominence in a chart is determined by angular, succedent, and cadent houses.
Angular planets are the most prominent, followed by succedent and then cadent planets.
Benefics should be emphasized over malefics in electional charts.
Sect in astrology determines whether a chart is a day or night chart, impacting the quality of benefics and malefics.
In a day chart, Jupiter is the most positive planet, while in a night chart, Venus holds that position.
Align the most positive benefic with angular placement and keep the most challenging malefic out of angular houses for optimal results in electional astrology.

02:03:47

"Angularity and Aspects in Astrology Charts"

In astrology, the concept of sect is crucial, determining the most positive and negative planets in a chart based on angularity.
The ruler of the Ascendant and the Moon should have close relationships with the most positive planet and minimal connections with the most negative planet.
Relationships between planets are primarily assessed through aspects, with close-applying aspects to positive planets being ideal.
The ruler of the Ascendant or the Moon should be ruled by the benefic of the sect for a desirable chart.
Whole sign houses are essential in astrology, but quadrant houses and angularity based on specific degrees are also significant, especially in electional charts.
Planets close to exact degrees of angles can greatly influence a chart positively or negatively in electional astrology.
The distinction between whole sign houses and quadrant houses is utilized to balance topics and planetary activity in a chart.
Angularity is crucial in electional astrology, with prominence based on sign and degree playing a significant role.
Mitigating factors in astrology involve aspects from planets in challenging houses to the degrees of angles, enhancing their positive influence.
General significators, like Venus for love or Mercury for communication, play a vital role in determining the overall theme of an astrological chart.

02:15:54

"Significators in Electional Astrology Charts"

General significator is a rule in electrical charts, with varying opinions on its importance among astrologers.
Focus on particular significators like the ruler of the Ascendant and the Moon rather than the general significator for more personalized connections.
Consider the importance of Venus for wedding elections and Mercury for other types of elections.
Sometimes, despite a bad general significator, you may have to focus on the ruler of the Ascendant or the Moon.
Houses play a crucial role in electional charts, with specific houses like the 2nd, 7th, 10th, and 11th being significant based on the topic.
Prioritize the ruler of the Ascendant, Moon, angular planets, and planets connected to the topic in electional charts.
Malefics and benefics need to be placed strategically in houses based on the importance of the topic.
Consider the overlap between horary rules and electional charts, aiming for applying aspects between the ruler of the Ascendant and the relevant house ruler.
Compare the electional chart to the natal chart to ensure positive aspects from benefics and avoid negative aspects from malefics.
Emphasize the importance of the ruler of the Ascendant in the comparison between the electional and natal charts for a successful election.

02:28:17

Choosing Electional Charts for Success

Finding a good standalone electional chart is challenging.
Typically, a list of five or ten electional charts is compiled for a given time frame.
The natal chart is used as a tiebreaker to select the best electional chart.
Starting from the natal chart to find favorable time frames is less preferred.
Prioritizing electional charts ensures success and ties into the natal chart.
Transits and time-lord periods are crucial in selecting electional charts.
Multiple people's natal charts may need consideration in complex situations.
The role of the electional astrologer is to maximize potential and mitigate challenges.
Clear expectations are set for clients regarding the limitations of electional astrology.
Other factors like time-lords and zodiacal releasing are considered in natal charts.

02:40:12

Timing choices with astrology for better outcomes.

Electional astrology involves making choices about when to start something based on likely outcomes, not necessarily controlling the outcome.
In the Hellenistic tradition, electional and inceptional astrology were under the same umbrella, focusing on starting things at specific times.
Observing rising signs throughout the day and when planets hit angles can provide insights into outcomes.
Prioritizing upcoming lunar aspects and finding an electional chart in tune with one's natal chart is crucial in electional astrology.
For starting a business, focusing on the 2nd house for financial matters and the 8th house for partnerships or shared finances is recommended.
Deal-breakers in electional astrology include placing malefic planets contrary to sect in angular houses.
Sect, reception, and configuration can mitigate negative placements in electional charts.
Any electional chart is better than none, even if the birth time is unknown, as it can still provide valuable insights.
Simple electional astrology involves paying attention to the Moon and the next planet it's applying to through a major aspect within the next 13 degrees.
Regularly observing the Moon's aspects can offer practical insights for everyday decision-making.

02:52:42

Navigating Different Approaches in Electional Astrology

Different astrologers and traditions emphasize different aspects in electional charts, making it challenging to judge each other's work accurately.
It is crucial to respect various approaches to electional astrology and not be overly critical, as different astrologers prioritize factors based on their experiences.
When examining someone else's electional chart, it's essential to consider the time frame and restrictions the astrologer faced, as critics often overlook these constraints.
Criticizing other astrologers' elections without understanding their limitations can be unproductive and misleading.
It is more constructive to view different astrologers' elections as educational opportunities to learn how they prioritize different elements.
Malefic planets can be used as Ascendant rulers if well-placed by sign, sect, house, and aspect, leading to constructive outcomes.
The 2019 Year Ahead Forecast Report highlights the best electional charts each month, providing valuable insights and guidance for astrologers.
To utilize the selected electional charts, adjust them to match your location and time, ensuring a similar chart to the one provided.
The Year Ahead Report for 2019 offers detailed explanations and analyses of auspicious electional charts for each month, aiding astrologers in planning ahead.
The response to the Year Ahead Report has been positive, with many finding it beneficial and informative for their astrological practices.

03:04:35

Astrology resources for electional astrology enthusiasts

A report for 2020, 2021, and future years is available on TheAstrologyPodcast.com, with a link in the episode description.
Ben Dykes’ translation of Dorotheus of Sidon's "Carmen Astrologicum" is recommended for studying electional astrology, available on Amazon or BenDykes.com.
Another recommended book for electional astrology is Ben Dykes' "Choices and Inceptions: Traditional Electional Astrology," a compilation of Medieval astrological works.
Chris Brennan offers a 75-minute lecture on electional astrology on his website, ChrisBrennanAstrologer.com, and a full online course on electional astrology at TheAstrologySchool.com.
Monthly auspicious election charts are available through the Auspicious Elections Podcast by becoming a patron on Patreon.com, with more information on LeisaSchaim.com.

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