In episode 190 of the podcast astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim provide an introduction to electional astrology, which is the application of astrology to find auspicious dates and times to begin new ventures and undertakings.

On the forecast episodes of the podcast we regularly feature an auspicious electional chart for the month ahead, but we realized recently that most listeners are not familiar with the rules of electional astrology, or how to use the charts we provide.

So we decided to do an entire episode on electional astrology, in order to provide a detailed introduction to the subject.

Since this is a big topic, the episode ended up being three hours long:

In the first hour we set the stage by talking about the premise of electional astrology, and some conceptual and philosophical issues related to the topic.

In the second hour we get into the technical details of what to look for and focus on when trying to find a good electional chart.

Finally, in the last hour, we answer some questions about electional astrology that were submitted by listeners through Twitter.

This episode is available in both audio and video versions, and you will find links to both at the bottom of this page, just after the show notes.

Resources for Electional Astrology

Some other resources on electional astrology mentioned in this episode:

The Electional Astrology Podcast - Our monthly podcast on elections for the month ahead

Electional Astrology Course - Chris' online course for learning electional astrology

Electional Astrology Podcast Outline

Here is our outline with the major points we touched on in this episode:

What is Electional Astrology?

The premise of the "doctrine of origin."

The quality and future of anything can be determined by looking at the alignment of the planets at the moment it began.

The potentiality of a system is embedded in the moment of its inception.

Everything has a chart.

Events and ventures can have birth charts, not only people

Election simply means “choice.”

Electional astrology involves proactively choosing a chart to begin something.

If you can control the beginning then you can control the outcome.

Distinction between inceptional and electional astrology.

Original name for this branch was katarchic astrology, from the Greek katarchē.

History of Electional Astrology

Probably originated in the Mesopotamian astrological tradition.

Most cultures that develop astrology also develop something like electional astrology.

Earliest and most influential treatment in western tradition is book 5 of Dorotheus of Sidon.

Most later Hellenistic and Medieval treatments of elections based on Dorotheus

Earlier fragments by Petosiris indicate earlier lost sources from 1st century BCE

Horary astrology probably partially developed out of electional astrology eventually.

What Kinds of Things Can You Elect?

In theory anything, but typically used for more important ventures

Common uses: weddings, business incorporations, signing contracts, listing a house, etc.

Can use it for smaller things still important to you: sending important emails, etc.

Famous instances of electional astrology:

The founding of Baghdad in 762

John Dee elected the coronation chart for Queen Elizabeth I.

Ronald Reagan’s astrologer Joan Quigley elected many major presidential events.

What Do You Do at the Electional Time?

Typically the most symbolically significant initial act that begins whatever you are starting.

Establish what the most symbolically significant beginning of the event is.

What is the most important moment?

Are there multiple beginnings, or just one?

Examples:

Saying “I do” and being pronounced married at wedding (begins marriage)

Starting to write a book/article and saving draft.

Opening doors for business for the first time.

Leaving your house for a trip.