Considering Lilly’s Considerations
A horary figure from William Lilly’s Christian Astrology (1647)
In horary astrology, a chart is erected for the moment that the astrologer understands the question propounded. This figure should say something about the question (hopefully the answer but also significant details). Not every chart is fit to be judged, however.
At the end of the first book of his Christian Astrology (1647), Lilly gives a set of ten rules (depending on how you count them) by which we may judge the radicality of the horary chart and consider whether the question is suitable for accurate judgement.
Let’s start with some etymology.
The word radical comes from the Latin radix, meaning “root.” In the context of astrology, the word radical is used more in its mathematical sense than in the 80s slang or political usages. By radical, Lilly means the fundamental nature or root of the matter. Radicality speaks to the root nature of a horary chart; does it reflect the situation? Is it the root question? Does the question epitomize the situation?
The word consideration is derived from the Latin considerare, a compound word consisting of two parts: con-, meaning “with,” and sideris, meaning “the stars.” So, the word literally means “with the stars.” Is the chart we are delineating with the stars? Does it accord with the astrological weather? Does it have stellar momentum behind it? Does it partake of cosmic sympathy? And this, as I hope to show, is exactly the context in which Lilly uses the word.
Lilly says, “All the ancients that have wrote of questions, doe give warning to the Astrologer the before he deliver judgement he well consider whether the Figure is radicall and capable of judgement.”
William Lilly
So, to consider if the horary chart is radical, is to judge whether the fundamental nature of the question is in accord with the stars.
The first consideration is whether the ruler of the hour and the ruler of the Ascendant are either (1) the same planet, (2) of the same triplicity, or (3) of the same nature. If, say, Mars is the ruler of the planetary hour and Scorpio is rising, then the question is radical because Mars rules Scorpio and is the ruler of the hour; the question is fit to be judged. The question is also radical if, say, Virgo is rising and Venus rules the hour because Virgo is an earth sign and Venus is the ruler of the earth triplicity. Also, if Gemini is rising and Saturn rules the hour, the question is radical because Saturn and Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, are both qualitatively cold and dry.
The second consideration is that, if the Ascendant is in the first three degrees of the rising sign, then the question is not fit to be judged – unless the querent (the person asking the question) is very young. I think most people, myself included, interpret the Ascendant in the early degrees of the rising sign as an indication that the matter is not yet mature enough to judge.
The third consideration is much like the second except relating to the late degrees. If the Ascendant is in 27, 28 or 29 degrees of the rising sign, then the matter has likely already been resolved – though the querent may be unaware of the conclusion.
The fourth consideration is (1) whether the Moon is in the late degrees of a sign (especially Gemini, Scorpio or Capricorn) or (2) whether she is in the Via Combusta (“Fiery Way”), which is from 15 degrees Libra to 15 degrees Scorpio. If she meets either of those conditions, then the chart is not safe to judge.
The fifth consideration is whether the Moon is “void of course” (unaspected and not making a Ptolemaic aspect before she leaves the sign). Though, Lilly says, she may perform somewhat if she is void of course in Taurus, Cancer, Sagittarius or Pisces.
Lilly says that he learned the following rules from the works of the “Arabians, as Alkindus and others.”
The sixth consideration is if Saturn be ascending (especially retrograde), then “the matter of that Question seldom or never comes to good.”
The seventh consideration is if Saturn is in the 7th house because that (1) corrupts the judgement of the astrologer or (2) is a sign that the matter will resolve unfortunately.
The eighth consideration is that, if the ruler of the rising sign is combust (within 8 degrees 30 minutes of the Sun), then the matter will resolve unfortunately.
The ninth consideration is if the ruler of the sign on the 7th house cusp is debilitated (by detriment, fall, etc.), then the astrologer (who Lilly refers to as the “Artist”) will not give solid judgement.
Lastly, the tenth consideration is that, if the testimonies of benefic (Jupiter and Venus) and malefic (Saturn and Mars) planets are equal, then the astrologer should defer judgement.
Horary charts from Lilly’s Christian Astrology
The consideration of a chart’s radicality is a great way to see if the cosmos is supportive of the question and will facilitate the horary process. Many astrologers will go ahead and judge a chart that violates one or more of the considerations, but they do so knowingly and they will be aware of how that may impact the delineation.
Do you have a question?
Contact me for a horary reading.