Using the Moon in Electional Astrology

After combing through a few years’ worth of notes on Electional Astrology and its rules, here are some details for using the position of the Moon when electing or choosing a favorable time to begin any number of things: a project, a marriage, moving to a new residence, starting a job or school, planning a garden, you name it, because anything–an event or person–which begins has a birth (natal) chart.

This branch of the art called Electional Astrology helps us figure out when celestial factors are optimal for good outcomes–or as near as can be determined. And with the Moon as timer, there are a few things to be considered so that enterprises will proceed as you prefer.

1. Take into consideration the angular relationship (aspect) between Sun and Moon, for if the Moon is waxing (increasing) in light–going from New Moon to Full–matters will move along quickly and easily.

Yet there are caveats to remember: approximately 24 hours after a New Moon (about 12 degrees) is too soon to begin, as are the 24 hours (12 degrees) following a Full Moon (which might also be considered ‘too late.’)

2. If your project would benefit from publicity, debut it a few hours prior to the culmination of a Full Moon.

3. Avoid beginning when the Moon is void-of-course (makes no major aspects while in its current sign) for then your decisions will be skewed by lack of realism, focus will be difficult to maintain, and nothing will meet your expectations–things “go nowhere.”

4. There are a few positions of the Moon to avoid altogether–when in Scorpio (its Fall), in Capricorn (its detriment),  or–as the ancients would caution if they could–avoid beginning things when the Moon is in the degrees of the Via Combusta, aka the Burning Way.

These are the degrees including and between 15 Libra and 15 Scorpio. Many modern astrologers have left behind the Via Combusta but I suppose it depends on how important your enterprise’s outcome is to you whether or not you prefer to ignore this centuries-old rule (precession of the signs notwithstanding.)

Personally I would include this rule if only because Scorpio is ruled by contentious Mars (or volcanic Pluto…to me, Scorpio’s sub-ruler.)

5. It’s best if the Moon is not applying to major aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, or opposition) to a retrograde planet. Rx planets indicate delays or other timing problems which may ruin your plans. And they tend to act more on internal levels rather than expressing well in the outer world.

6. Since the Moon can indicate fluctuating or unstable conditions, avoid times when the Moon is rising (on the Ascendant, which represents the event itself.)

7. Unless the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are well-aspected and/or relate directly to the matter (ex: Uranus = technology, computers–buying a new laptop when Moon is trining Uranus could be a promising venture) try to keep the Moon’s contact with them to a minimum; Mars and Saturn contacts should be minimal as well. 

8. The planet that is the chart-ruler should likewise not be in adverse aspect to the outer planets which tend to bring conditions which are completely out of one’s personal control.

9. The first planet which the Moon applies to by major aspect should be studied fully for its condition–its positive or negative aspects with other planets, retrogradation, whether it’s angular, etc–for it will have primary impact on how things will proceed.

So first try applying these 9 rules when starting minor projects and you may find that Electional Astrology is a useful method for choosing times for the major events and enterprises of your life!