HORARY ASTROLOGY Step By Step by Petros Eleftheriadis. The Wessex Astrologer, PO Box 9307, Swanage, England BH19 9BF. www.wessexastrologer.com. Trade Paper. 99 Pages. £10.99, $17.60.

Though this book can be read on a stand alone basis, its probably better to read his first book HORARY ASTROLOGY: The Practical Way to Learn Your Fate, first. Here he seems to elaborate on the first one.

Don’t let the length of the book fool you. It is only 99 pages, but packed with information and insight. This is not for beginners. The author assumes that you know the basics and then takes you from there.

Its really a workbook – like a home study course – for the horary enthusiast. The reader is guided step by step into the intricacies of casting and interpreting a horary chart.

It is written clearly in a no nonsense style. Its not meant to be poetic. Its just “wham bam thank you ma’am” information.

Horary Astrology – the astrology of the hour – is about answering particular questions in a yes or no manner. In Natal Astrology we are looking at a life. A Solar Return is about a given year. A Horary chart is about a specific question that the other charts wouldn’t answer. Yet, there is much here that will enhance our understanding of the other charts – Natal and Solar Return (and even progressions). Its not the answers that the Horary chart gives, but the manner in which it is approached. There is a need to determine the significators of a given activity. Then – and this is the most fascinating part – to assess their strength or weaknesses. Here, it seems to me, is the essence of the whole business. He spends much of the book on this – and rightfully so.

The study of scripture – of sacred literature – is all about resolving contradictions. All the scriptures are filled with them. The same is true in a Horoscope – horary or otherwise. A planet is strong in one way, but weak in another. Or perhaps it is strong but afflicted. Perhaps it is weak but receives help. There are hosts of contradictions in every Horoscope. Perhaps this is what it means to be human.

Traditionally Horary astrology takes a medieval approach. It doesn’t use the modern planets of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – which to me seems a weakness. So every planet, with the exception of the Sun and Moon, rules two houses. But here I see he grudgingly acknowledges the power of Uranus. (Neptune and Pluto are also very powerful). Yet, he doesn’t assign Uranus any rulership.

I’m sure that triplicities, terms and faces have some sort of rationale. But it escapes me. Yet these things play a big role in assessing the strength or weakness of a planet. Even mutual receptions can happen by triplicity, term or face.

At the end of the book there are practice charts that the student can work with and the answers are given later on.

Its always a pleasure to read someone who has mastered a given field. And this is the case here.

For a student of horary astrology, this is a must read. It should be on your book shelf as a resource. But I like this book even for those interested in Natal Astrology. It will enhance the understanding and the practice.