Electional astrology

Origin and tradition

Electional astrology is one of the four classical branches of astrology along with natal (birth charts), horary (specific questions) and mundane (politics, history). It was widely used in classical Hellenistic and medieval Arab-Western astrology: kings and emperors consulted electional astrologers before founding cities, declaring war, marrying, beginning works. Notable example: Constantine I chose with electional astrology the moment of foundation of Constantinople (May 11, 330 AD) — and indeed the city resisted for over a thousand years.

The technique is based on the principle: "the moment of birth conditions the entity born". Just as a person born at a specific moment has a specific astrological chart that shapes their life, an enterprise begun at a specific moment also has a "natal chart" that conditions its development. Choosing a propitious moment to start something is therefore "giving it good astral genetics".

How it is applied

The electional astrologer studies: 1) Lunar phase appropriate to the activity (new moon for starting from zero, growing for development, full for culmination, waning for completion or release). 2) Sign and aspects of the Moon on the chosen day. 3) Planets in their day and hour (planetary day-Sunday is solar, Monday lunar, Tuesday martial, Wednesday mercurial, Thursday Jovian, Friday Venusian, Saturday Saturnian). 4) Mercury retrograde (avoid signing contracts and starting communications during this period if possible). 5) "Fortunate" or "unfortunate" days in classical interpretation, depending on planetary position.

Common applications: 1) Important wedding — choose date with strong Venus, harmonic Moon, no malign aspects to the seventh house. 2) Signing of important contract — strong Mercury, no retrograde, harmonic Moon. 3) Non-emergency surgery — Moon away from the body sign affected, no Saturn afflicting the involved part. 4) Opening of business — strong Sun (success), Mercury good (commerce), Jupiter favourable (expansion). 5) Important journey — Mercury good, Moon harmonic, strong Jupiter for international travels.

Today

Electional astrology is today a specialised consultation, not just simple horoscope. Astrologers experienced in this branch are useful for important moments where a perfect date is desired. Most accessible alternative for daily practical use: at least avoid notably negative dates (Mercury retrograde for important contracts, full moon "void of course" for important new beginnings) and seek notably positive dates (new moon in a sign aligned with your intention, harmonic aspects). Without becoming an obsessive astrologer, this layer of consideration adds wisdom to important decisions.