Horary astrology

Horary astrology is a branch of astrology by which an astrologer will try to answer a question by drawing up an astrological chart or horoscope for the time and place at which that question came to mind or when it was put to them. The answer might be a simple yes or no, but is generally more complex with insights into, for example, the motives of the questioner and the options available to them.

Horary astrology has its own set of rules, for example the moon is of prime importance, the questioner is represented by the ruler of the first house of the chart, and planetary aspects to the house cusps are considered more important than in other branches of astrology.

Horary astrology has been practised in India and is known as Prashna Shastra. The more advanced form of this is the Astamangalam Prasna and Deva Prashna methods of Kerala. Prashna Marga lit. the path of Horary astrology)by Harihara ( and Krishneeyam are some famous classic works.

William Lilly (1602-81) was an early and well-known practitioner of horary astrology in London and his books are still in print.

See also electional astrology.