Puck's Place -- The Sky: Astrology: Using Astrology in Ritual Timing & Event Planning

Recommended book: "Astrologickal Magick", by Estelle Daniels (Samuel Weiser, 1995; $14.95).
As the blurb on the back cover states, "This is the first book to explain how people interested in the pagan way, in Wicca, and in magickal practices, can apply astrological indicators and energies to important timings and rituals." I know of no other book that covers this material, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It does several things well: it shows you how astrology relates to magick, especially for ritual timing; it's a clearly written, straightforward introduction to astrology; and it explains how to use astrology to learn more about yourself and your magickal abilities. Since it covers the basics of astrology, it's a great book for beginners.

Estelle Daniels' book taught me much of what I know about electional astrology. This webpage and I are greatly indebted to her work. Thanks, Estelle! (For her website, see the Astrology Links page.)

One of astrology's most practical, everyday uses is in helping to pick the right time to do something. Whether it's getting married, moving, changing jobs, or having surgery, astrology can show what's afoot in the heavens for the day and time in question. The official name for this is electional astrology, which means that someone has elected to perform an action and wants to find the most favorable time to do it, astrologically speaking.

The biggest factor in timing is the Moon -- which phase it's in, which sign it's in, the aspects it's making to other planets, and whether or not it's void-of-course (in celestial terms, just hanging out and being spacy). The reason why is that the Moon moves very quickly, and therefore its influence on us also changes quickly, from day to day. Other planets' positions may also be important for timing, depending on what you're planning to do. If it involves communication, see where Mercury is. If it's a big social event, Venus' position will be influential. For hard work and physical energy, look at Mars' position.

The most basic tool is a good astrological calendar, such as Jim Maynard's Celestial Influences, or most of Llewellyn's Astrological Calendar. Each month of these calendars focuses on one Zodiac sign; contains an ephemeris, or table of planetary movements, for that month; and lists planetary aspects for each day, and the time that they're exact. A good calendar will also indicate which sign the Moon is in each day, when the Moon goes void-of-course (the time before it changes signs, and makes no further aspects to other planets before the sign change), and when it enters the next sign. It should also include a basic astrological almanac, which lists the meanings of signs, planets, houses, and planetary aspects; astronomical phenomena such as eclipses and meteor showers; and a guide to planting by the Moon.

The other basic tool is -- YOU. In particular, your awareness of how energies ebb, flow, and change character as the Moon moves through its phases, as planets change sign or go retrograde, and so forth. It's worth going through one Moon cycle, preferably New Moon to New Moon, noting what energies you sense as the Moon changes sign, and as it grows full and diminishes. You can extend this exercise and go through an entire year, seeing how the Full and New Moons differ as they advance through the Zodiac, a month at a time. And to take this even further, if you've had your birth chart cast, you can see where these lunations -- New and Full Moons -- fall in your own chart, and how they influence your life, particularly by house (one of 12 chart sections). If the New or Full Moon makes a close aspect to a natal planet, you'll find that planet's energies are awakened, particularly in the area of life represented by the house the planet falls in.

Why use astrology to help plan rituals and workings?

To find the best time (astrologically speaking) for the ritual and the work you're planning
To avoid undesirable times, if humanly possible
To enhance the magickal and/or spiritual effects of your work by doing it at the most appropriate time

Times to Avoid (general suggestions only; won't apply to every ritual)

Mercury retrograde (every 4 months for about 25 days; this site gives dates and meanings for the 2004 occurrences)
Moon void-of-course (every 2 ½ days; can last a few minutes or more than 2 days, depending on where the other planets are.
Ends when the Moon moves into the next Zodiac sign.)
Waning moon (for many rituals, but NOT all)
Hard aspects (squares or oppositions) between the Moon and other planets, especially Mars and Saturn

Things to Pay Attention To

What sign is the Moon in?
Is the Moon waxing or waning?
What aspects is the Moon making to other planets?
What sign is the Sun in?
What's the ascendant for the time and location of the event?
What are the other planets doing? (Especially those whose nature and qualities correspond to those of the event you're planning)

Things You'll Need

An ephemeris (table of planetary movements)
A calendar with astrological data (Llewellyn publishes several; there's also Maynard's Celestial Influences, which is my favorite).
Must include: Moon's movements through the Zodiac; Lunar phases; Moon void-of-course periods; planetary retrogrades; major aspects between planets (especially between the Moon and other planets). May include an abbreviated ephemeris.
An astrological chart for the day and time you're planning your event. (Free charts are available online from several sites; my favorite is Astrodienst. Daniels' book will help you figure out the chart symbols and structure.)