The Magic of Horary
Geoffrey Cornelius

An exploration of the philosophy and practice of Horary Astrology

© Geoffrey Cornelius 2007 hor01web v3

* please see navigation notes in panel below

one-day seminar

at the State of the Art Conference, Toronto

25th October 2007

For use with the audio recording of this seminar

Speaker Notes:

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The seminar consists of four sessions:

Speaker Notes:

.On your audio CD the sessions are approximately as follows:

CD1 tracks 1, 2 - session 1

tracks 3-5 - session 2

CD2 tracks 1-3 - session 2

tracks 4-5 - session 3

Heavenly omens:

Real-ising the Path of good fortune

Speaker Notes:

..CD1 track 1 c.10m

Guido Bonatti (13th century)
on the Three Motions of Horary

Observe what it is that moves a person to propose or ask a question of an astrologer; where we must take notice of three motions:

First of the mind

Second of the superior and celestial bodies

Third of the free will which disposes him to the very act of enquiring

Speaker Notes:

The Three Motions of Horary

Observe what it is that moves a person to propose or ask a question of an Astrologer; where we must take notice of three motions:

the First, of the mind, when a man is stirred up in his thoughts and hath an intent to inquire;

a Second, of the superior and celestial bodies; so that they at that time imprint on the thing enquired after, what shall become of it;

the Third, of the free will which disposes him to the very act of enquiring; for although the mind be moved to inquire, 'tis not enough, unless the superior bodies sympathise therewith; nor is such motion of the stars enough, unless by the election of his will the person does actually enquire.

Speaker Notes:

(See below for a note on the correct time and place of the horary, (discussed at this point in the seminar):

Bonatti: 13th century dates not known on the three motions of horary

from Geoffrey Cornelius ‘The Moment of Astrology’ ch VI

 

A detailed study of horary practice will finally dispel any lingering notion of Ptolemaic origins. A possibility sometimes adopted in modern practice casts the horary question for the place of the querent, but at the time of its receipt by the astrologer. If a letter comes from Australia, an astrologer in London may choose to use the geographical co-ordinates for the place in Australia, but will take as the time of the horary the moment in London when he or she reads the letter. The horoscope is therefore not now for a unique spatial-temporal origin. The decision on this convention is made by the astrologer and the test is what makes sense in the symbolism, not a criterion drawn from geography. Now this is a small instance, and some traditional horary astrologers will not make this move, but it serves to demonstrate the possibility that the final form of horary, far from being simply a 'gift of nature', involves an element of creative choice by the astrologer.

But the tradition offers more substantial indications of the moment of horary. The transmission from Arabic astrology undertaken by Guido Bonatus in the twelfth century is a primary source for later European horary. His 'First Consideration before judgment' leaves us in no doubt that the moment of horary is a function of human decision:

 

Observe what it is that moves a person to propose or ask a question of an Astrologer; where we must take notice of three motions: the First, of the mind, when a man is stirred up in his thoughts and hath an intent to inquire; a Second, of the superior and celestial bodies; so that they at that time imprint on the thing enquired after, what shall become of it; the Third, of the free will which disposes him to the very act of enquiring; for although the mind be moved to inquire, 'tis not enough, unless the superior bodies sympathise therewith; nor is such motion of the stars enough, unless by the election of his will the person does actually enquire.[1]

 

Of these three defining motions of horary it would be possible to equate only the first with the Ptolemaic model. From the perspective of the natal horoscope one may indeed be 'stirred up' by the current state of the heavens, and on this count fruitful interpretations of horary moments can occasionally be made simply on the basis of natal transits.

The remaining two motions break with Ptolemy. The second shows the characteristic horary transgression of the divide between universals and particulars - a heavenly 'imprint on the thing inquired after', without reference to any horoscope of causal-temporal origin. But it is the third motion, that of free will, which is the most interesting of all. We have no horary moment unless by the election of will the person does actually enquire.

It is this 'election of the will' that marks out the astrology of human initiatives, which will be taken up in the next chapter in the form of the katarche. Here it is sufficient to note that the intentionality of the one inquiring is given by Bonatus as part of the definition of horary. The what of the horary moment is not simply the posing of a significant question. It is the posing of a significant question to an astrologer, with the explicit intention that this question shall be subject to astrological judgment.

The founding of horary in the will-to-inquire shows us why we need to ask for seriousness of motive to guarantee 'radical intention' and thus 'radicality' in the symbolism and the judgment. This is an idea that we find insisted on by the early astrologers. Masha'allah (eighth Century) warns the artist to make no response

 

except to honest and serious questions, or to a person who, with much concern and solicitude for himself or for another with whom he is closely involved comes as an anxious inquirer himself or through a messenger.[2]

 

In his 'Second Consideration before judgment', Bonatus advises that the inquirer should first pray, and then

 

 ...let him apply himself to the astrologer with a serious intent of being satisfied in some certain and particular doubt, and this not on trifling occasions, or light sudden emotions, much less in matters base or unlawful.[3]

 

- a statement that William Lilly commends to the student by an insertion in Coley's translation.

Although the seriousness of intention of the astrologer is taken for granted by these authors, there is little doubt that a reciprocal radical intention to answer truthfully is equally required. I would suggest that this too enters into the definition of the horary moment, since the astrologer has to make the final decision, by a free act of will, to take up the question as a horary.

One of the most powerful features of horary method, which can be a revelation to the natal astrologer coming across this possibility for the first time, is the signification of the astrologer giving judgment in the symbolism of the horoscope. This is not simply a peripheral possibility or additional colour, but rather, it is integral to the method. The traditional set of considerations that in modern horary are known as 'Strictures against Judgment' are significations warning the astrologer not to offer an interpretation. One of these, relating to Saturn and the 7th House, is explicitly about the role of the astrologer. The fact that the astrologer giving the answer is signified 'in' the horoscope underscores the fact that horary depends upon an astrologer being there to make a judgment.

Because of this, the description of horary must move further still towards acknowledgement of the active participation of the astrologer. The horary moment is the posing of a question that will be taken up by the astrologer. It does not 'exist' as a horary until it is so taken up.[4] Whether or not the whole exercise is finally going to work is then the function of an intangible - the state of the astrologer, and whether he or she is at that juncture capable of the creative expression of traditional craft.

A horary is not like a natural creature, born at a particular time and place. Neither is it a 'significant question' floating around without an astrologer to answer it. The whole project depends upon the participation and mutual intentions of astrologer and client. It therefore constitutes a special and uncommon form of inquiry, strongly reminiscent of divination. In divination as this is commonly recognised, a diviner puts a specific question to an oracle-system, such as that of the Tarot cards, or the I Ching. Sometimes the diviner puts the question on behalf of an inquirer and interprets the oracle's response. In horary, the oracle may be seen as the heavens themselves, the astrologer interpreting their response on behalf of the querent. It is therefore not surprising that horary has earned the appellation 'divinatory astrology'.

 

-------------------------------------------------

[1] Guido Bonatus, The Astrologer's Guide or Anima Astrologiae, Coley's 1675 translation republished by W.C.E.Serjeant (1886), and this latter edition reprinted by Regulus, London (1986), p.1.

 

[2] Masha'allah (Mesehella), 'On the Rationale of Inquiry and its Method' from the Book of the Nine Judges (1509) - trans. Graeme Tobyn (unpublished; Company of Astrologers Latin Translation Group, 1993).

 

[3] G. Bonatus, op.cit., pp.1-2.

 

[4] It can be demonstrated from practical experience that valid horary is possible even where the querent has not intended that the question be put in this way: it is sufficient for the astrologer to 'take it up' as a horary. He or she will soon find from the pertinence or otherwise of the symbolism whether a fruitful decision has been made.

 

=======================================================

A note on the correct time and place of the horary:

My own usual practice is to take the time and place at which I read and understand the question (even if I have earlier quickly noted the existence of the question in a batch of emails – I still take the time I have decided to take up the matter). However, each horary astrologer must decide their own form of practice, and the approach I have suggested will not be appropriate for the astrologer who is like a walking ephemeris with a close knowledge of every lunar aspect and the ascendant of the moment. The astrology itself usually clearly shows you which is the more radical moment, just as it will sometimes be obvious that you should relocate to the client’s place to bring out a strong detail of symbolism. Don’t fuss and be guided by radical symbolism, and you will soon find that your practice settles down. - GC.

Fish Stolen

William Lilly

Christian Astrology p397-9

Speaker Notes:

See next slide for text. The frontispiece of Christian Astrology, with a portrait of Lilly, may be downloaded from the index page.

Fish stolen

Lilly’s judgment is given below

Speaker Notes:

Lilly’s FISH STOLEN

Text from Christian Astrology pp397-9.

Living in the country 1637. I had bought at London some fish for my provision in Lent, it came down by the barge at Walton, on Saturday 10th February one of the watermen, instead of bringing my fish home, acquainted me, their warehouse was robbed last night, and my fish stolen: I took the exact time when I first heard the report, and erected the figure accordingly, endeavouring to give myself satisfaction what became of my goods, and, if possible, to recover part or all of them again.

I first observed, there was no peregrine planet in angle but Jupiter whom I found upon the cusp of the seventh house, the thing I lost was fish, therefore any gentleman would scorn such a coarse commodity. I considered the signification of Jupiter in Scorpio, a moist Sign, and the significator of my goods, viz. Mercury that he was in Pisces, a moist Sign, and that Fortuna was in Cancer, a moist Sign. Discretion, together with art, assisted me to think he must be a man whose profession or calling ws to live upon the water, that had my goods, and that they were in some moist place, or in some low room, because Fortuna was in Cancer, and the Moon in Taurus an earthly Sign.

I was confident I should hear of my goods again, because Mercury Lord of my house of Substance, was applied unto by a sextile of Moon, who was Lady of my Fortuna: and yet without hopes of recovering them, because Mercury lord of my second, was in his fall and detriment, but as he was in his own Terms, and had a trine aspect to Fortuna, there was hopes of some of my goods.

There being never a waterman in that town of Walton near unto the description of Jupiter in Scorpio, I examined what fisherman there was of that complexion; and because Mars Lord of the 7th was departing the Sign Scorpio, viz. his own, and entering another Sign, I examined if never a fisherman of Mars and Jupiter his nature had lately sold any land, or was leaving his proper house, and going to another habitation; such a one I discovered, and that he was much suspected of thievery, who was a good fellow, lived near the Thames side, and was a mere fisherman, or man conversant in water; for all significators in watery Signs, argued, he must needs live near the water, or a watery place, that stole the goods, or be much conversant in waters.

The man that was the thief was a fisherman, of good stature, thick and full-bodied, fair of complexion, a reddish- yellowish hair.

I procured a warrant from a Justice of Peace, and reserved it privately until Sunday 18th February following, and then with a constable and the bargeman, I searched only that one house of this fisherman suspected; I found part of my fish in water, part eaten, part not consumed, all confessed. This jest happened in the search; part of my fish being in a bag, it happened the thief stole the bag as well as the fish; the barge man, whose sack it was, being in the same room where the bag was, and oft looking upon it (being clean washed) said to the woman of the house, woman, so I may have my sack which I lost that night, I care not: the woman answered; she had never a sack but that which her husband brought home the same night with the fish. I am persuaded the bargeman looked upon the sack twenty times before, and knew it not, for the woman had washed it clean: I as heavily complained to the woman for seven Portugal onions which I lost; she not knowing what they were, made pottage with them, as she said. The remainder of my fish I freely remitted, though the hireling priest of Walton affirmed I had satsifaction for it, but he never hurt himself with a lie.

So that you see the peregrine planet in an angle describes the thief, and that either the Sun or Moon in the ascendant, and in essential dignities, gives assured hopes of discovering who it was; the application of the Moon to the Lord of the second, argues recovery; a full recovery, if both the Moon and the Lord of the second be essentially dignified; part, if accidentally fortified; a discovery, but no recovery, if they apply and be both peregrine.

=============

Further notes (GC)

Reserved warrant until Sunday 18th:

Full Moon that morning at around 9am : Moon at 9 Virgo 54

Peregrine: having no essential dignities (including by triplicity, term or face). I do not however bother with the minor dignities in my ordinary horary practice.

=============

Modern planets for ‘Fish Stolen’:

Uranus 23 Libra 11 R / Neptune 21 Sco 00

/ Pluto 27 Tau 33 / (Chiron 9 Tau 33).

I do not ordinarily use Chiron either in natal or horary.

Radicality
if a horary isn’t RADICAL
don’t judge it, DUMP IT

Speaker Notes:

The weakness of modern horary

The greatest failure of much modern horary, including the work of some published authors, is the non-observance of radicality = truly rooted symbolic showing. It’s not enough to put up horaries for trivial or passing thoughts or for things that do not concern us (like many third-party questions). Neither is it a guarantee that you or the client feel deeply about the issue, or you are highly emotional – check out Bonatti and the necessity for all three motions (already discussed). A good horary should dance or ‘jump’ with symbolism (to use Lilly’s phrase).

There is a much higher demand for clear simple symbolism in horary than in natal, which is generally a more subtle and nuanced project. A confusion arises for natal astrologers in that a correctly timed birth moment must by definition be taken as a radix (even if the astrologer can make no sense of it), but very few passing questions are truly rooted and make for genuine horaries. If you try to teach other astrologers about horary using maps with feeble non-radical symbolism then you will simply confuse them and put them off. When astrologers try to convince themselves or others using weak symbolism or obscure aphorisms, Lilly calls this ‘straining at the art’.

Be ruthless with your horary. On a matter of any importance DO NOT TRUST OR BOTHER WITH A HORARY THAT DOES NOT SHOW CLEAR DESCRIPTIVE SYMBOLISM – dump it, and if you have to do more astrology on the issues then get back to the natal horoscope.

Radicality should not be confused with the ‘strictures’ – you may have a strikingly appropriate symbolism but still be warned by a stricture not to judge, perhaps for a reason beyond your present understanding.

Is this organisation the right choice for the training?

Speaker Notes:

Is this organisation the right choice for the training?

The Querent wanted to undertake a training in psychotherapy and had applied to an organisation which she liked. She had been told to obtain more background experience before they would accept her application.

The Querent then asked a horary about a second organisation to which she had also applied. This was very much centred around therapeutic households. She had been accepted at this second organisation but was uncertain as to whether she should go ahead.

The Querent is shown by Venus in Cancer in the 10th House. The training/organisation (career choice) is shown by Moon in Pisces in the 6th House.

Both these significators are highly descriptive of the situation and make the chart extremely radical. The Venus in Cancer is a caring, protective and socially minded combination and it is placed in the house of career/vocation. The organisation she had applied to also treated people living in therapeutic community households and very much promoted safe havens for vulnerable people. The Moon in Pisces describes the service side of the training and also the day-to-day work of nursing mentally ill people and taking up a position that can be very self sacrificing at times as well as calling for empathy and compassion.

Venus has separated from the opposition to Saturn and is applying to the conjunction with Jupiter also in the 10th House.

The Moon has separated from the sextile to Saturn and is applying to the trine of Venus.

Judgment

Venus separating from Jupiter shows some difficulty or frustration in the past. This seems to symbolise the setback the Querent had received when her first choice as a training organisation had not accepted her application to train with them and had asked her to obtain more experience. This is an obstacle to her initial desire to train as a psychotherapist. However, the Venus goes on to make an unhindered conjunction to Jupiter in Cancer (exalted and the ruler of the 6th House). This conjunction seems to indicate good fortune for the Querent.

The Moon is also separating from Saturn but by sextile. Because this involves Saturn it would indicate some frustration but the nature of the aspect indicates that the obstacle is not serious and easily overcome. The Querent has in fact applied to another organisation.

The Moon is applying to a trine of Venus and so a simple perfection is made. The astrologer would feel quite happy in making the judgment 'Yes', she should train with this organisation as it shows good fortune to the Querent if she takes this initiative.

Outcome

The Querent had applied for the training in August 1990 and had been accepted. She decided to proceed with this second choice and started in November 1990.

In November 1991 she entered a one year residential placement in one of the community households and she found this extremely educational and rewarding.

To date she is very happy with her choice of training and is sure that it is right for her. The only drawback is the financial hardship such a training makes on the student (NB: this may have been guessed by the place of Mars (ruler of the 2nd house) in the 8th house and in a detrimented state).

Judgment from Pat Blackett

Further note from GC: the querent went on to become Head of Training at her chosen organisation, and is much respected.

This material reproduced by permission of the COA ‘katarche’ correspondence course.

 

Strictures against Judgment
- Saturn in the VIIth
(or Ist in your own question)
- Early or late degree rising
- Moon void-of-course
- Moon in via combusta
Saturn in the horizon is always problematic

Speaker Notes:

Strictures

This is a relatively modern name for an ancient idea – that horary has a way of protecting astrologer, client, and the repute of astrology itself by warning the astrologer not to give judgment when certain symbols appear. It is important that strictures are heeded wherever a yes/no judgment may lead to a significant decision being taken by a client on the basis of the astrologer’s advice.

In the style of practice adopted and taught by the Company of Astrologers, we limit the strictures to the rules given above and we treat them as entirely ritualistic. They encourage discretion and they are the means by which the guiding intelligence at work in horary (however we might conceive it) is able to directly communicate a warning where serious consequences might arise from a judgment. Some modern horary astrologers ignore the strictures, but in our view the penalty they risk incurring by voicing judgment to clients in the face of a stricture is decreasingly radical or even futile horaries

A beginner in horary will frequently get several frustrating strictures in succession in otherwise highly ‘radical’ (= symbolically apt) horaries early in his or her practice. This appears to be something of a test.

As observed by Lilly, the stricture of the late degree is frequent where the astrologer is being tricked or tested, or the question is otherwise not sincere. Lilly is somewhat variable in his observation of the strictures, and sometimes judges with the Moon void (especially in Cancer, Taurus and Sagittarius); but then his astrology is generally a model of discretion and he is perhaps innately ‘guided’ in a way few of us moderns are. The Moon void is an interesting test of the strictures – some moderns simply say ‘nothing comes of the matter’, but the truer understanding is actually ‘nothing useful comes of doing a horary judgment in this matter’.

A very experienced horary astrologer may choose to read through the stricture, but then only when their judgment takes up fully the probable reason for the stricture having been given in the first place.

Will it all go through?
When will it be sorted out?

Horary from Derek Appleby

Speaker Notes:

A problem with the Moon via combust.

Derek Appleby judgment

Will it all go through? When will it be sorted out? - Derek Appleby

This is a judgment from Derek Appleby, published in 1985 in Horary Astrology (Aquarian Astrology Handbook, Thorsons Publishing Group) p126-8. New edition 2005 (Astrology Classics, Bel Air MD). The chart has been recomputed from the original data.

" The querent was trying to buy a flat, but matters had come to a standstill because there were problems with the mortgage. She was beginning to despair of the whole matter, and she posed the question.

Although this question is concerned with property to some extent, its main purpose is to discover whether the mortgage the querent requires will be forthcoming, for that is the only thing which is holding up completion of the sale. Our main concern must therefore be concentrated upon mortgages, and this is an eighth house matter (other people's money).

The significator of the querent is Jupiter, the significator of the mortgage is the Moon, but the Sun must also be counted as a significator by virtue of his position at the cusp of the eighth house. The Sun (mortgage), separates from a good aspect of Jupiter (querent), but the Moon is separating from a conjunction of Jupiter and applying to a trine of the Sun. Therefore, although at first sight the mortgage appears to be running away from the querent, the Moon is reuniting the Sun and Jupiter by translation of light, so there is a strong indication that the querent will get the money.

The question also asked when the matter would be resolved. The Moon is fixed and succedent, and by the generally accepted Measure of Time, a degree of lunar motion equates with a year. With the Moon applying to the Sun by just over a degree of arc, the traditional timing would be just over a year. This is unrealistic, so I judged the matter would be settled in just over a month, and that indeed proved to be the case.

The question asked specifically about the mortgage and the time of completion. This was the mandate given to the astrologer. If the question had also asked about the condition of the flat, etc., I would have shuddered at the applying Mars-Saturn conjunction in the tenth house of the chart. Mars is signifier of the flat through his rulership of the fourth house, and Saturn rules the querent's second house. Mars is weak in Libra and Saturn is exalted; it is just about as nasty a combination as you can get, and it is even worse by virtue of the fact that the Sun applies to that conjunction by square aspect. I did not take account of this pattern at the time of judgement because I was only concerned with the mortgage, but as it turned out it presaged serious difficulties for the querent.

After the sale was completed, she soon discovered that there was a serious problem with dampness, and no amount of investigation could locate its source. One theory was that the flat was built over an underground stream. The problem was so bad that the querent began proceedings against the freeholder in an effort to get the sale revoked. The freeholder actually made an offer to repurchase the property but when he learned that it had been condemned by the local authority he withdrew the offer.

Now, just over two years after the sale, the querent has a flat in which she cannot live, the dampness problem has not been solved, and legal proceedings continue. The whole business has cost her a great deal of money so far, and even if her legal fight ends successfully, she will be very lucky indeed if she does not end up substantially out of pocket.

I have always maintained that the astrologer should stick closely to his mandate when giving judgement to a querent, but examples such as this make one wonder."

 

Should I pursue Rosa further?

Speaker Notes:

A further example of discretion observed in the strictures.

Should I pursue Rosa further?

The querent was a young man of mixed Irish and Spanish descent, something of a romantic, a teacher of English who had travelled widely but never settled. While on a recent trip to Spain he had met and fallen in love with a Spanish girl called Rosa. Rosa was very much controlled by her strict middle-class background, and especially a dominant mother, who much disapproved of the querent's interest in her daughter. After several attempts at communication from England, Rosa had not responded to the querent for some time, and it appeared that his love for her would be thwarted.

The querent had asked a question of the Chinese oracle I Ching, which gave a response of the 3rd hexagram 'Difficulty at the Beginning' changing (yang in the first line) to the 8th hexagram, Unity or Coordination, which speaks of asking again to inquire whether one has the resolve required for the venture contemplated. The querent therefore wished to put the matter to a further test of astrology, hence the question. Should he continue with this seemingly doomed quest, fired by his desire for Rosa. His question, asked in a state of some emotional agitation, was therefore: 'Should I pursue Rosa further?'

Judgment

No judgment was given to the querent because the horary has a stricture against judgment, namely Moon via combusta. In conversation, I explored with the querent how he felt about the turbulent state which had led to such confused divinations, without at any point allowing the discussion to suggest that astrology offered a prognosis.

Further considerations

Although judgment is halted dead by the stricture, the chart suggests a line of speculation into the situation and into the querent's state of mind. These factors may inform the astrologer provided there is no attempt to bypass the stricture and bend them into an 'answer'.

What is first to be remarked about this horoscope is its striking radicality, or symbolism appropriate to the situation. This demonstrates that radicality as fitting symbolism is a formally distinct category to that of the strictures. The Moon as ruler of the ascendant is the primary significator for the young man. The Moon is in the 5th house of love affairs, in the passionate sign of Scorpio. It is in fall in this sign. This well describes the turbulent emotional state of the young man in asking the question. He is full of desire, not able to be calm or reasonable or objective about his state. On the horizon in the place of the Other appears the goddess of Love herself, Venus on the descendant, the angle of partnership, marriage, sexual union. Love and marriage - Venus is ruler of the 5th house of love and courtship - how he longs to court her. We note how the Moon struggles to reach this Venus by sextile, which would grant him his heart's desire. Yet first, the Moon would have to get past the interposing sextile of Saturn, lord of the 7th. As lord of the 7th, is this the significator for Rosa? I felt this was more exactly a significator for marriage to Rosa. Marriage to Rosa will involve a whole dutiful structure of family relationships; Saturn is the dispositor of Venus, and this is the Spanish matriarch. Before he could have Rosa, he would have to satisfy the mother. The family in the form of the mother is a final condition and authority here (10th from 7th). There is no indication that Rosa will step out of this condition. Venus is separating by trine from Saturn. Perhaps the querent dreams that Rosa will go eventually to Uranus, break her constraints, and enjoy love unfettered by family duty. Is this where the pursuit will lead?

The querent is at the place of decision, not knowing what he should or would do. The Moon separates from a trine to a debilitated Mercury. He waits for news, but Rosa has not written or phoned. Has Saturn stopped Mercury? The young man does not know how Rosa now feels, or whether she wishes to encourage him.

What does this particular stricture suggest? I had in mind the words of Marc Edmund Jones, that the via combust Moon shows low morale, an inability to form and carry any resolve in the situation, and this seemed very apt. The querent was torn apart by turbulent desire, and this is why his judgment is clouded. Perhaps desire clouded the true prompting of his soul, which is why divination proposed no resolution. When the I Ching says 'inquire again' that does not simply mean 'take a second divination'. It means, suffer this burning way and secure the truth of the matter in your own soul.

Who can say what would be the outcome had I read through the stricture and offered advice on how he might negotiate the Moon past the interposing Saturn? Quite possibly he would have done nothing in any case, and the whole exercise of the horary would be at best a waste of time, at worst a further layer of complication and confusion. In the face of a stricture, such speculation remains idle. In any case, it is not given to us as astrologers to have intimations of all that may be destined, and this is one of those situations where the signs are better withheld. However tempting the radicality of the symbolism may be, it is sufficient in a case such as this that the astrologer should trust the stricture and that the querent should be turned back to the source of their doubt.

Outcome

The querent decided not to pursue Rosa further. Several years after, he fell in love with and married another Spanish girl, who became a devoted wife, gave him two fine sons, and shared with him his travels and adventures. Meeting her several times in following years, it was clear to me that she was the 'right' one for him. In a manner that curiously reflected significations in the original horary, he had much difficulty in his relationship with his wife's parents, who seemed to regret the match and never warmed to him.

- GC

Am I right in wanting to change course?

Speaker Notes:

An example showing the katarchic use of mutual reception by degree

client M Client confidentiality has been secured by omitting certain details

question: ‘Am I right in wanting to change course?’

for receipt: Herne Bay 13 Jan 2004 2:19am GMT

Asc. 10Sco37

day Fortuna: 15 Cancer

 

M. knows some natal astrology and had his natal chart looked at by me before. I could therefore use astrological symbolism in my discussion. At the time of the horary he was attending a Convention in Washington, and his horary came from there – but as is my custom I took the time and place of my reading the email as the primary option.

 

M. works for an international European organisation at a top level as a Communications Director. He has in the past been a trouble-shooter in international conflicts, he is good at his job,.but currently feels he is going nowhere with the job as it stands, and he does not at present have the influence on policy that he would like; for him to go forward it would mean his role being taken more seriously, with more funding and staff; this could mean a struggle to get what he wants. The job has great opportunities and possibilities, but he now feels frustrated and burnt out. But there is a clear alternative. He has now been short-listed for a job in an international food agency, distributing food aid and assistance to farmers. M. wonders whether he will,indeed get the job, and whether it is right for him, or whether he should ‘soldier on’ in his current role or take up this new opportunity.

 

On being pressed to establish the katarchic initiative, he agreed this form of the question – ie. he was now inclined to leave his current role and go for the food agency job. It is this initiative that is being tested in this horary.

 

Here are notes of my judgment.

(comments for phone consultation).

 The initial radicality of the symbolism rests in Moon (universal cosignificator in a horary, therefore a significator for you) separating a trine of Sun, lord of the MC and in the 3rd (communications/media) - hence considering leaving a path that has been a shining success up to now.

 

The Moon is in Virgo applying to Mercury, fitting the ‘food agency' possibility.

 

The Asc. and its ruler(s) also show you and your action in the question. Mars is very strong in Aries, creative and ambassadorial in the 5th, but is surprisingly unconnected with other chart factors to do with career. Perhaps that disconnection is part of current frustration. Pluto does not want to show in a foreground way here, although Mars will connect with him sometime.

 

The state of the asc. matches your description perfectly. The dangerous south node rises, and the ascendant is in the via combusta (15 Libra - 15 Scorpio) - the burnt way, hence you say 'tired, burned out, frustrated'. This is a low morale combination. So is there a horary perfection? The proposed food agency move is possible but it looks weak - Moon to square detrimented Mercury which looks erratic. You would therefore be justified in backing away from this proposed move.

 

But can you restore any dignity to the situation? The only obvious way is provided by the mutual reception, using the symbolic degree exchange, of Mercury and Jupiter. Now Moon joins Mercury on the 11th - but even more interestingly, Mars goes to the trine of received Jupiter (instead of a useless quincunx).

 

From our conversation, it appeared most likely that this represents a major enhancement of the situation and role you are are now in - not a change of course. It is a bit of a fight, and it needs energy and a spot of tub-thumping enthusiasm.

 

The other connection worth noting is ruler of the 9th on the 11th for the 'good daemon' or guide. This could connect with your sense of a calling, and it shows through providential events and auspicious coincidence.

 

========= judgment given:

The judgment was that even if he got the food agency job it would prove unsatisfactory. More was possible in the current job, especially to do with enhanced funding for his role. He knew some natal astrology and I explained current Uranus transit which showed great instability right now. He agreed with this prognosis and deicide to stick with his current role. As far as I know this has to date proved more successful.

 

 

 

 

Mutual reception by degree may improve querent’s situation

Speaker Notes:

See notes to previous slide for details

What does my relationship with Andrew have in store for me?

Speaker Notes:

Horary made on reading and understanding the question

Names have been altered and several non-significant details have been omitted in order to preserve confidentiality

Marianne has a reasonable understanding of natal astrology

Email from Marianne:

Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:14:03 +0100

Dear Geoffrey
Getting on well with the new job.
Relationship with boyfiriend has moved on from the complete fixation with deceased wife and his frequent dates with other women which he did not think I knew about.
I am still left wondering where our relationship is going.  If the skies permit I would be very grateful if you could give me a horay reading on this question please?
I have asked Andrew what his plans are for our relationship and he is evasive.  He speaks of having had 2 long marriages, the second of which was very happy. In this marriage he had no wish to have affairs   He says that he does not have any friends and that he enjoys the company of women.  He also wants to spend as much time as possible with me and not to be constrained should other women be 'on offer'.
I limit the time I see him as he wants to see me every evening and all weekend and this could leave me with no time to maintain my home and friendships.  I have introduced Andrew to some of my friends and he has not been very responsive. I think if my friends were very pretty or of use he may have been more responsive. I have suggested that he forms some male friendships especially around the area of work and he told me that he would be the one to decide on this.
On the face of this it does not bode well for the future.
I asked him what he thought of marraige and living together.  He thought marriage was not necessary and that living with a woman should not preclude him from relationships with other women should these ever be on offer. This leaves me feeling unsettled.
The question could be what does my relationship with Andrew have in store for me?  He has hidden his relationships with other women from me and was very resentful when I found him out.  I am very helpful to Andrew and do not want to be used.  * *…..I often fear that love can be a blindspot for me.

My very best wishes.  Good health.
Marianne
================================

To: gc@coa.org.uk
Subject: ps re. my email yesterday
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:36:03 +0100
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 11 Jul 2006 09:36:06.0899 (UTC) FILETIME=[6F49B430:01C6A4CD]
Dear Geoffrey
It goes without saying that I derive some benefits from my relationship and that I give a huge amount to my relationship.  I suppose it is a little like my clients no-one ever comes to say what a happy time they are having.  It can weigh you down a little.  For every negative comment I suppose it would be advisable to devote the same if not more time to telling people of the truly good things in our lives! We all want to get back to heaven.
My very best wishes

Marianne

==================================================

letter to client 17th July 2006

 Dear Marianne,

 

I have looked at your question ‘what does my relationship with Andrew have in store for me?’.

The horoscope for my final receipt and understanding of the question yields a radical horary (11th July 2006 1:27am BST for Herne Bay 24°21 Taurus Asc. - reproduced at the end of this letter); its main symbolism duplicates that of the chart for the original time and place of sending the email request (12:14pm 10th July ******* 4th degree Libra Asc.), so I therefore feel reasonably confident about the horary.

 

With Taurus rising, Marianne is shown by the ruler Venus, placed in Gemini in the 2nd house. Andrew, and the relationship with him, is indicated by Mars ruler of the 7th in the 5th. This signification is perfect, because this combines romantic interest (5th) and the long-term relationship concern (7th, the possibility of marriage). ***** Andrew is appropriately shown by Mars; Leo is a strong placing, although we note that Mars has lately come from the opposition of illusory or deceptive Neptune, which may have much confused things in the recent past. Mars in Leo is quite self-oriented and full of itself; it is however ideal for enjoyment and pleasure (for both parties involved).

 

Returning to Marianne’s signficator, it is not immediately obvious why Venus should be in the 2nd house, because there does not seem to be a financial issue here; or in Gemini, unless it shows some split or duality in Marianne’s attitude. There may be a residual trace of symbolism from past concerns (the dead wife) where the 8th from the 7th was strongly involved in Andrew’s signification (horary: ‘can anything be done to rescue it?’ 17th Jan 06 9°52’ Cancer). Now Marianne is in a sense substituting (or wishing to substitute) for the dead wife.

 

The Moon, applying to the Full, is a cosignificator for Marianne as querent, and the Sun appears to be a secondary cosignificator or testimony for Andrew (Sun disposes Mars), or of the love relationship (Sun rules the 5th).

 

The Part of Fortune (night) is on the Descendant, since this is almost Full Moon; this brings out the strong focus on the house of marriage.

 

With the foundation of significators established, we look to the possibilities of bringing-to-pass what Marianne desires. We are immediately struck by the promise of an application of Venus to Mars by sextile, under three degrees short of perfection. This hoped-for union of Venus and Mars, querent and quesited, completely affirms the radicality of the horary. However, before the perfection can be made, Mars moves to the trine of Pluto (occurs Friday 14th July at 8:06am BST), which means that the first aspect formed by Venus is the opposition to Pluto. The trine to Mars is only formed nearly a day after this opposition. This denial of perfection is technically an ‘abscission’ by Pluto, ‘cutting off’ Venus from Mars.

 

Given such a denial, it is difficult to read the symbolism of Moon applying opposite Sun as anything other than a confirmation of the crisis Marianne faces in achieving what she desires. In the exact way that Marianne has expressed her wish, something will be denied.

 

But we should try to open up this symbolism. Pluto is co-ruler of the 7th, so what does this mean? I believe this suggests that the idea of marriage with Andrew is not well starred; or alternatively, that Marianne’s emotional movement towards marriage is in current circumstances actually cutting off or damaging the more social and entertaining side of the relationship. I realise this is a painful matter, but the astrology seems to bear out the indications Marianne has already had from conversation with Andrew, ie. that he would not wish to be constrained in terms of other women.

 

This all points to a continuation of the dilemma already manifested in the 17th January horary, which is that Marianne wants more commitment than Andrew is prepared (or able) to give. But as in this earlier horary, Marianne should avoid letting herself be consumed by this relationship, because that would simply fulfil more completely the obsessive power of Pluto, without gaining for Marianne any of the lasting security and love she desires. From her letter, it appears that Marianne appreciates the need for some separateness and distance, to avoid being consumed in this way. Marianne needs to keep the lightness of Gemini, and be able to live in two realms of social life, not one realm dominated by Andrew.

 

* * * * * * *

 

Marianne, I hope these comments are of some help.

 

best wishes

Geoffrey Cornelius

=========================

=============================

To: gc@coa.org.uk
Subject: Thank you - just a few queries please!
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:09:30 +0100
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 17 Jul 2006 19:09:34.0333 (UTC) FILETIME=[8A31FAD0:01C6A9D4]
Dear Geoffrey
Thank you for sending me these notes.  I am very confused.  Venus being in the second could be that I have been involved in Martin's business.  Reading and trailing his work.  Asking my friends to give testimonials to the work etc  This may lead to a very lucrative business for Andrew. I have wondered if he is waiting to see what happens over this before commiting.  I have no wish to substitute for the dead wife.  I wish to star in my own right.  She drank herself to death and clearly things were not as perfect as they are remembered.
Andrew wishes to see me all the time if I say I will be available and if I am not available he gets unhappy.  I am trying to keep some time to myself particularly as he does not want to live with me or marry me.  Keeping lightness and my own social circle in the circumstances is tricky.  Are the skies advising me that I will be totally let down by Andrew and need to keep a social circle to embrace me when this happens?
I do have a 'split' in that I do sometimes have a feeling of wanting the relationship and at the same time not feeling sufficiently wooed (if that is how it is spelt!).

=========================


The Nature Cure job - yes or no?

Speaker Notes:

THE NATURE CURE JOB – YES OR NO?

Locating significators

 

Venus as ruler of the Asc. shows the querent. Placed in Aries it describes her rather aggressive and sometimes thoughtless attitude, especially in matters of work ( 6th ). The detriment also shows that she is not strongly placed when it comes to jobs, and she may not therefore be in a position to pick and choose.

 

Venus being placed in the 6th is a strong testimony of radicality, and locates this question unambiguously as a 6th house question of jobs. The nature-cure job is not itself a career goal, although it may serve towards that goal.

The issue of the querent’s career, which is the wider context of this question, is well signified by the placing of the Moon as co-significator, in the 10th and ruler of the 10th. I take the Moon to be co-significator for the querent here. Notice that the Moon has just entered Leo, implying a new phase in career concerns, and that in the previous sign, Cancer, the Moon’s prior aspect was the conjunction with Saturn and opposite Fortuna, showing the thoroughly depressed condition of the querent prior to this question [ Moon conjunct Saturn 09:43 GMT; the square of Mercury occurred earlier, 09:11 GMT ].

 

As this is a 6th house question, and Pisces is on the 6th house, the significator for the quesited, the job, is Jupiter. As is commonly the case in straight-forward horaries about ordinary matters, the trans-Saturnian co-ruler, Neptune, has no involvement, either by house placing or in the main pattern of aspects. Neptune is not therefore to be taken as a significator.

 

There is no mutual reception by rulership or exaltation between significators.

 

Some additional testimonies

 

The course of studies in acupuncture is signified by the 9th. The placing of Mars, ruler of the 2nd, in fall in this house shows the struggle to fund the fees for the course. We note that this is the condition that prevails over the querent in posing her current question – Mars is the dispositor of Venus. The Moon, ruler of the 10th, in turn disposes of Mars, reflecting what we already know, that the purpose of the studies is to attain a career. A similar minor testimony of radicality along the same lines is given by the recently separating square of Mercury to frustrating Saturn, with Mercury showing the studies (9th ruler), under the domination of the problem of cash (Mars disposes Mercury). Mercury is somewhat enhanced in its possible significance by governing planetary hour. I do not see as important the signification of the friend who informed the querent of the job, other than the possible detail of the Sun (ruler 11th of friends) disposing the Moon as the querent. The chart suggests that these factors are not a relevant consideration in the perfection or non-perfection with which the astrologer must be mainly concerned.

The several minor testimonies, together with the major testimonies shown by the significators which are appropriate to the question, indicate that this horary is RADICAL. The astrologer may therefore proceed to judgment.

 

Perfection or non-perfection between Significators

 

The only aspect between Venus for the querent, and Jupiter for the job, is an applying semi-sextile, which is not sufficient for a horary perfection. There is however a translation of light from Venus to Jupiter, carried by the Moon (separating trine Venus and applying square Jupiter).

Where translation involves a square, we must be cautious in assuming there can be perfection unless the factors concerned are well placed or have some compatibility (as in mutual reception). The Moon is strongly placed in an angle and not afflicted, and Jupiter is also angular. As Jupiter is in a sign in which both significators for the querent, Moon and Venus, have dignity, there is some strengthening of the potential perfection.

 

Judgment

 

From consideration of the above factors I judged that a perfection would occur, but that the weakness of the perfection (by square without mutual reception) indicated that the benefit would be less than the querent hoped for. Common-sense suggests that given the information we already have about the querent, this perfection means that she will get the job if she applies, just as the Moon hastens unhindered to Jupiter, and connects the querent (Venus) to the job (Jupiter). However, because the perfection is constructed on a square, and the primary significator for the querent is debilitated (Venus in Aries), this indicates that the querent will not find the job to her liking.

This is a typical ‘yes, but’ answer that arises where there is a perfection weakened by square or debility of significators.

 

I told the querent my views and tried to indicate the unsatisfactory nature of her position, given her Venus in Aries attitude to such jobs. I did not attempt to time the perfection, although it was obvious with the early degrees of significators, the closeness of the aspects, and the Venus in headstrong Aries, that the matter would move rapidly. I do not think she listened to my reservations (like Venus in Aries), but promptly applied for and got the job. She lasted three weeks then left it, as she found it quite unsuitable. I never discovered exactly why.

 

She did pursue her studies in acupuncture long after the time of this horary, but I do not know whether this resulted in a career.

- GC/Katarche Course

 

Curse on Plato?

Speaker Notes:

Curse on Plato

Does this chart, interpreted under horary rules, offer insight or a possible prognosis?

Outline:

 

Judith is a former neighbour of Pru at the time of Pru’s short stay in a nearby town, prior to Pru movng into a marvelous cottage and grounds, which she had in mind to be the location of a small animal sanctuary. The first newcomer to this sanctuary was a beautiful cockerel called Plato, who had great significance for Pru. Plato had now been given the pleasure of some hens to look after. Plato had already survived a scrape with terriers and was always in danger from foxes from the nearby woods.

 

Pru and Judith had become friendly, and Judith loved working on gardens and land; she was not wealthy, and did not have a garden of her own to develop, and she loved coming to the cottage to see Pru. She and a woman friend* now periodically worked for Pru at the cottage. It seems Pru only gives her £20 a time for a lot of work on occasional days.

 

Judith had a dream (the night before) which she told Pru at the time of this figure. She dreamed that the cockerel had been killed. Pru felt a certain edge from J. who Pru thinks might be jealous of Plato (for Pru’s affection). Pru tried to shake off the dark report by saying, ‘oh well, it’s only a dream’. but J. rather pressed the point home by saying knowingly that many of her dreams turned out to be premonitions. In any case Pru takes dreams, omens and coincidences very seriously, and is a skilled astrologer herself. She was upset by these dark words, and felt them to be almost a curse. She felt that her friendship was damaged by the mood created, and this lead to discussion with her astrologer-friends about how seriously all of this should be taken.

 

A key to the story is that J. had not been invited to her own sister’s wedding and this left her grieved and angry. Pru considered that there was an element of displaced resentment at work.

 

Judith is somewhat reminiscent of Judi Dench in ‘Notes on a Scandal’.

=============================

* In the Conference this is erroneously stated as her sister

Note added post-Conference:

I have learned that on Saturday 27th October, Judith had a bad fall while walking down into her cellar. She banged her head and was bruised, and was kept overnight at hospital, but fortunately there appears to be no lasting injury. Pru is most concerned on Judith’s behalf, but believes that in some mysterious way the bad thing spoken had returned to its source. - GC

 

 

 

 

 

Should I move home;
if so,
when
and where?

Speaker Notes:

Finding the true issue from the horary, and the power of mutual reception by degree

‘Should I move home, if so: when and where’

client confidentiality maintained by omitting certain details

16 Jan 2002 9:21am GMT Herne Bay Asc. 21 Vir 11.

 

{agreed email description from permission request of 7/5/02

...that the querent had studied astrology for some years, having come through psychotherapy; in an ordinary job in London, and looking forward to retiring and moving and developing his currently small astrology practice; this move would preferably be to the coast, and several locations have been examined astrologically; and that the querent has for a long time felt a split between his spiritual background (devotional Christianity) and his work in astrology.}

 

He is an astrologer, has begun to study traditional astrology after having studied psychological natal astrology.

 

Miserable first half of life on his account, repressed. Had been in psychotherapy for quite some time, leading to Jungian therapy with a therapist into astrology. That brought him into psychological astrology, where he really took off, and his life opened up for him. He has not however studied traditional astrology or horary.

 

He has started his own natal practice using psychological astrology. This brings us to the particular and concrete question, which appears quite ‘straight’.

 

‘Should I move home, if so when and where.?’  

He had himself begun to study location astrology, and the astrology of towns and cities, prior to this question. I don’t much like these compound questions, and I will leave that to Lilly. He lives in London in a, house with high equity value, and is due to retire in 3-4 years time from the horary, from a very mundane job. He could make the move now – hence the boring sensible question, should he wait until he retires, then make the move, or should sell up and move and take some risk with his resources now.

 

He wants to move to a resort location and begin to practice astrology for holidaymakers, and practice a little more freely; a semi-retirement. So he wants me to judge from the horary when and where. I am not however going to go into various technicalities of where and when because that became not quite the issue as this matter revealed itself.

 

 

Virgo rises, querent is Mercury appearing to go to a sextile of Pluto on the 4th, but in fact it turns retrograde before it makes the sextile. We cannot ignore Pluto on the IC. It is a prominent non-significator.

 

Moving home must be a 4th house matter, hence Jupiter in Cancer, in 10th; Moon cosignificator in all questions, wants to apply the trine of Jupiter. BUT Saturn – Saturn interposing. Is the horary radical – does it speak? It looks like a 4th house issue connected with work 6th and vocation 10th – that is his desire, Jupiter in Cancer, ruler of the 4th by the sea (Pisces/Cancer) as true goal (10th). He is considering changing his home to go to the sea. Moon exalted in a mixed reception with Jupiter, on trine – very powerful desire of the soul. Deeply radical.

 

But something may be wrong. Mercury is dead opposite Fortuna – bad sign for the question. Moon may be going places, but Mercury is not. The half-spoken thing lies in the interposing factor in such a radical map.

 

I’m not going to proceed with towns and directions because we are not there yet! His soul has told us even if HE hasn’t told us, of what is in the way. This is fundamental to horary practice – a sure sign of what is important.

 

Saturn in the 9th path, his astrology; Mercury in mutual reception with Saturn. The client has acted as if he has everything else is solved and he just has to decide – but there’s much more of a struggle – unless he negotiates this Saturn it will stop him being fulfilled – though it won’t necessarily stop him moving to the sea!

 

There is our horary judgment: NO as it stands.

 

I took it that finances weren’t the key – the wrong thing isn’t the money it’s the Saturn (and that is the truth of the case, he has the resources).

But the mutual reception involving a primary significator suggests a switch – the matter is within his grasp (Mercury) to understand. This is how it emerged as we went into our discussion.

 

 

Mercury going up to the MC in 9th way/paths/spirit – he’ll have to find his path by moving the Mercury up to the MC and then Saturn – the block – down to Neptune. (Co-dispositor of the Moon).

 

I saw from the symbolism the area to ask questions – I am not simply clairvoyant. Conversations make truths clear.

 

What I hadn’t realised in earlier conversation is that he had a lot of community through his church and he is quite devotional, he likes the Christian ritual, and emotional involvement. He struggled for years not seeing how his astrology could square with his spiritual and religious practice. He had even just before asking this horary had actually left the Christian group he was with. Now you see Saturn in Gemini has split asunder into two ways paths in the 9th. A dichotomy. One can see in the natal horoscope this Gemini tendency. (when Gemini is not working well) I asked him whether this was where the problem lay. He had answered it himself. In that moment he became quite emotional. This is nothing marvellous, the astrologer blunders into it, just speaking truly to a few significators – but the querent realised that he had made this unnecessary split.

 

Seeing his astrology as part of his Christian understanding is to bring the Saturn back to the Neptune into devotion, then the Moon becomes free to be its imaginal self – his practice and service. Pisces and Jupiter love it. He will find both Christian friends and a spiritual practice of astrology wherever he goes.

 

[note how mixed reception of Jupiter and Moon mirrors the theme – because there is such deep radicality here].

 

It seems all very clear to astrologer and client, yet these things aren’t so obvious before the obvious has struck you.

 

Then it’s of little concern to look for horoscopes of town and cities – timing about 5 years to now, to when he will move (2007) – fits natal timing. Clever prediction of time or place from the horary is NOT what is needed.

 

 

 

MRD changes the potential of perfection

it requires conscious initiative by the querent

Speaker Notes:

See previous slide for notes

We arrive at an image of the katarchic (initiative) power of all astrology
This is not about a fate predicted by the astrologer
Horary reveals the movement and desire of the soul, and teaches the wisdom that leads us on the path of good fortune

Speaker Notes:

Please accept my best wishes for your future studies. May you find the path of good fortune in your horary practice.

- Geoffrey Cornelius November 2007

katarche

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The course is appropriate for students with a working knowledge of natal astrology.

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Speaker Notes: