| Most people have heard about the birth (natal)
chart, ie. the horoscope calculated for the time and place of birth. But astrology can be applied in several ways and horoscopes can be drawn for any event. |
The personal horoscope is a relatively new
phenomenon and in earlier days only kings and their like had a personal horoscope
done. Ordinary people would not necessarily know their time of birth, maybe
not even the day or year. And even if they did it would be a costly affair in
those pre-computer and pre-tables days. Only a highly qualified astronomer or
mathematician would be capable of calculating the positions of the planets.
If people wanted to have a look into the unknown they would consult a soothsayer
(or a psychic) who would then apply some sort of divinitory (oracle-) technique
in order to find answers or get the information by clairvoyance.
But, no matter which oracle technique is applied the sincerety of the querent
is of the greatest importance.
Divination always played a part in human life and the ways
and methods to unveil the unknown are innumerable. Each culture has its shamans,
priests, medicine men or other persons who are initiated in the secret knowledge
of their time.
In horary astrology the horoscope is used as an oracle irrespective of the birth time or birth place of the querent. The horoscope is the tool and lense whereby some matter is being investigated. In fact, anything can be investigated by the means of astrology - if the astrologer understands his craft. Closely related oracle techniques are I Ching and Tarot. Any moment of time has its own quality which can - to some extent - be understood and deciphered.
Classical western horary astrology is a "question-and-answer" technique. The more clearly a question is being put (and meant!) the clearer the answer will be - but the querent must be sincere! This technique has almost vanished during the last 50 years due to the new times and trends in astrology. In modern psychological astrology the very concept of prediction has become taboo. Nevertheless, prediction was always part of the astrologer´s work - and in some cases the most important!
In the Orient, especially in India, horary astrology (prashna)
is widely used and respected. As a rule, an oriental astrologer will set up
a chart for the very place and moment when the client presents himself with
or without specific questions. That chart tells the astrologer who the person
is - and his life circumstances as well.
Actually, such a chart gives more practical and concrete information about the
here-and-now than an ordinary birth chart.
Since we are practising horary astrologers we
can´t help saying "everytime you visit your astrologer".
You carry your birth chart with you from cradle to grave but you visit the astrologer
at a certain time in your life - and at that time you and your life´s
situation is focused in a special way. That is where to start - you now!
If you want to know about fundamental qualities and challenges in your life
the birth chart will be put in the first place (unless the practitioner whishes
to do something else which is the freedom of the artist). But on the whole the
natal chart is of a more abstract nature. That becomes incresingly interesting
as you grow older.
As soon as you want to know something of a real-life
nature, i.e. practical advice, information, or a strategy for solving problems
then horary is the tool.
The strength of horary lies in the synchronization between you (the querent)
and the astrologer, it reflects the actualizations and processes whether psychological
or practical (which cannot really be separated).
Questions can be put, like:
Will I get the job? What is going on in my relationship? What about my financial
situation? What will be the best time for a new enterprise?
But also questions of a more psychological or philosophical nature can be put.
The limits are as always in the practitioner and the client.
- to be continued...... december 1998
