Once upon a time, long long ago, when I was but a clueless young teen who naively assumed the strength of her own enterprise and charm, some initiatives begun would succeed and some would fail spectacularly. It took me a decade of adulting in the school of hard knocks and then some more years of studying astrological patterns to finally conclude that: Yes, luck is a factor. Yes, bad luck can be mitigated and good luck can be boosted. No, if the natal chart does not promise success in the venture, no amount of work, pray or love will help.
Of course, there is a school of thought that suggests the experience is the reward. Even if one fails or succeeds, the lessons learned and internalized are priceless. Taking this long term approach is absolutely beneficial for ones mental health. This approach also dovetails smoothly with the Buddhist and Hindu spiritual principle of “doing the work and surrendering the fruits to the source/divine“. If you have surrendered- spiritually, materially, emotionally- to a higher power, then this post would be irrelevant to you.
For the rest of humanity, who have not reached that state of surrender yet, electional astrology is a brilliantly practical way of ensuring that the murphy’s law does not activate.
From copious reading, and often finding conflicting and contradictory sources of information on how to construct the ‘ideal’ electional chart, I have come to conclude that there is no ‘ideal’ electional chart. Sometimes, some ventures begun halfheartedly soar to unexpected heights, and other ventures- don’t. Despite pouring blood, sweat and tears into the damn thing.
Do note that I’m not being deterministic but pragmatic. I would rather know upfront if the seed that I plan to nurture is likely to rot or grow into a big, beautiful, strong oak tree if I fulfill the necessary and essential conditions of nurture- pick the right time, check environmental needs of an oak tree, nurture it appropriately etc.
Since I have extended the analogy to agriculture, let me take it further by suggesting that constructing an electional chart is to check the ‘right time‘ for doing something. Anything.
The Seed
Check your natal chart- Does the potential (of the venture) exist? I could have had a secret dream to navigate the world on a boat, but my motion sickness might make that dream very challenging. Does your physiology cooperate with the essence of the venture? If you’re a highly creative person who is at their most creative when surrounded by nature, would you function as well in a tightly controlled corporate city environment? These are some of the questions that need to be answered and contemplated on, before even taking the first steps towards the venture. How well do you know yourself and your own needs? No one can answer these super duper important questions on your behalf. And unless you know your strengths and limitations, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
And although, you might succeed on what we call as “beginners luck” but without adequate preparation and thought, the luck might not be sustained and will eventually run out.
The soil
Here’s where astrology comes in with its ancient arsenal of preparing the soil for the venture. I can only skim the surface of the vastness that is electional astrology with its nuances and this post should not be considered as an exhaustive source for casting an electional chart. Instead, I hope it spurs you to dive deeper and read further on electional astrology.
The Moon
Most professional astrologers consider the Moon placement to be the most significant factor in a successful election chart. I concur and add that its even more important to natal Cancer ascendants and those with Sun/Moon or more in Cancer as this sign is ruled by the Moon as thus more sensitive to moon cycles.
Here is the condensed but not comprehensive list of should-do when casting the election.
*Moon must aspect the significators of the venture. For example: If its a social media venture, moon should aspect 11th house (internet/community) ruler, and 2nd house (income) ruler.
*No challenging aspects to the Moon, especially from the malefics- Saturn or Mars
*Moon should not be combust (within 10-12 degrees of the Sun) or within 12 degrees of opposition to the Sun. Therefore, avoid the 48 hrs preceding and following a new moon and full moon.
*Avoid the time when Moon is Void Off Course(VoC)
*For a new venture: waxing moon phase (3 days after new moon). For winding up or closing something : waning moon phase (or 2 days before full new moon. I conflated waning with full moon. *face palm*)
*Avoid the days when the Moon is in Scorpio(fall), Libra and Aries(square to its own domicile of Cancer) or Capricorn(detriment)
The significators of the initiative
The ascendant (you), the moon and the significator of the venture must aspect harmoniously with each other. In a way, imagine that these three are invited to a party and it is imperative that they get along. Because casting an election can get very complex very quickly, a quick way of checking the robustness of an electional chart (if one has more than rudimentary knowledge of Horary) is by working backwards and thinking of it as a horary. If we were to ask the question “Will this venture succeed”?, the chart should answer in the affirmative.
Do not even think of beginning a new business when the natural significators of the venture is retrograde. For instance, cast an election to begin writing a book when Mercury is in retrograde? Nope, not happening. Wait until Mercury goes direct and comes out of its shadow.
And then, the synastry between your birth chart and the business’s birth chart needs to be examined to check for long term sustainability. The venture may not be sustainable if its ascendant falls in your 12th or 8th house, which are considered house of losses, sorrows, debts and isolation. Even if the venture directly deals with 8th house matters (debt, insurance, other people’s money, legacy etc) or 12th house matters (meditation, retreats, isolation, mental health clinics..); I’ve found the electional chart ascendant falling into natal 8th or 12th suggests a very uneasy relationship between the chart holder and the business/practice/venture. The latter will feel like a burden or a constant source of worry.
I highly recommend Electional Astrology by Vivian E Robson because she writes succinctly, plainly yet comprehensively. I would also recommend William Lily, if you have the patience to read old style English.
Horary and electional charts can be thought of as two destinations on a continuum to the extent that if you are well versed in horary, you could also possibly construct a solid electional chart. While Horary answers the question “Should I….?”; electional astrology answers the question “When should I...?”.
If you’re considering a new venture or initiative or business, it would be prudent to ask a horary question first and then based on the result of the horary, cast a chart for the most opportune moment to begin the venture.
The environment
You’ve done your self reflection, prepared the soil, but if the environment is unsuitable, then the seed might not germinate. One has to accept that there are some things, many things, o1ut of our control as humans. For example: opening a restaurant two months before the pandemic hit. The restaurateur would have possibly covered all their bases, except one- that of a worldwide pandemic lockdown and subsequent upheaval. What to do in such cases? Many individuals fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy when their energies would have been better directed elsewhere.
Sometimes, even the best laid plans fail. In which case, throw the towel in, take some time out to lick your wounds in peace and then get back in the ring once wounds have healed.
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