In the modern world, astrology is commonly used to predict life directions, personality traits and future cycles — but did you know astrology was historically used as an oracle as well?

A modern revival of horary techniques is underway, bringing back the forgotten oracle of astrology. Horary astrology, literally meaning “of the hour”, is a divinatory tool that uses a birth chart created for the moment a client’s question is asked. As the astrologer hears the question for the first time, they mark the moment of the question’s ‘birth’ and set a chart reflecting the astrological picture of the sky at that time. Following a set of simple, clear rules, an answer or ‘judgment’ is then arrived upon. Key steps for an accurate horary chart include using the time and place of the moment and location the astrologer first hears and understands the question.

Astrologer Rob Hand defines horary astrology as “the art of answering questions by means of astrology”. Horary astrology is a practical form of astrology that gives clear answers that are quickly proven either right or wrong. Using techniques not often used in modern natal astrology, like receptions and dignity, a specially trained astrologer is able to accurately analyse any given situation using a horary chart.

The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines divination as “insight into or discovery of the unknown”. Horary is the tool astrologers use to reveal the truth of any given situation. It allows you to see what is currently hidden, or out of reach, or what is really going on in a situation. Sometimes what you discover may surprise or shock you, but then the truth of a matter often does. Horary can show what will happen in the future or has happened in the past, but what it does best is paint a clear picture of what is happening right now on all levels (physical, emotional, energetic) for all key players in the given situation.

Birth-chart astrology is complex. It has to be — a whole lifetime of potential is described in the one set of symbols. Teasing out simple answers to real time events from a natal chart, rather than qualifying overall life themes, can be time consuming. Reading a horary chart usually involves just one or two planets, as indicated by whatever is asked about in the question itself. This makes horary much simpler, faster and inherently more precise for specific question-and-answer situations than an entire birth chart consultation. Often when you reach out to astrology, you want to know about a key issue that’s relevant for you at that time.

Why not use a tool that can bring clarity and insight there and then? Be prepared, though: if you ask a horary question you will get an honest, insightful answer. Sometimes this in itself is confronting. Horary was a popular tool in older cultures where many people simply did not know the precise day, let alone time, of their birth. While birth-chart astrology might be the most personal form of astrology, in its absence, or if wanting clear answers about a key issue, horary is a competent tool.

Horary in history

Horary astrology owes much to William Lilly, an English astrologer who lived and practised through the 1600s. His work Christian Astrology (published in 1647) sets out a set of rules for horary practice, many of which are still use today.

Students of astrology through the 1500s to the 1700s would begin their astrological studies learning horary, only graduating to birth-chart astrology (the most common form of astrology in use today) once they had a solid understanding of the basic principles of how charts work, through their use of and studies in horary. As befits its place as the first level of astrology learned, horary is quick, simple and mostly fast. Answers given are succinct and accurate.

Horary consultations were historically quite brief. You’d arrive for a session at the astrologer’s place of business and they’d move the chart forward a relevant amount, from the time of the previous client’s question. You’d ask your question, get your answer, pay your fee and be on your way in less than 30 minutes.

Horary astrology is not about discussion or determining what the possibilities are in a given situation; it provides clear information about what’s happening and what is set to happen, if nothing is changed or altered. Any room to move indicated in your situation will be communicated to you along with techniques appropriate to help you maximise the opportunities or minimise the damages, if applicable.