Book Three: Horary & Electional Astrology And An Astrological Miscellany
For over twenty years Tools and Techniques has been a leading text for the Predictive astrologer. Now extensively revised, enlarged and released as a trilogy, this work is highly recommended to those who wish to learn and practice astrological prediction.
Tools and Techniques teaches the actual techniques used by medieval astrologers when Western astrology was at its height, over 700 years ago. This is a practical how-to text, based on Latin translations, with metaphysical and historical material, which help elucidate obscure and difficult facets of the art of Western Predictive Astrology.
The Tools and Techniques trilogy are highly recommended to those who wish to grasp the practical application of Western predictive techniques and who wish to explore the metaphysical principles upon which they are founded. They are considered essential reading for the student of Western Predictive Astrology and are standard texts for those completing both theFoundation Course in Medieval Astrology and the more advanced Diploma Course in Medieval Astrology. They include methods and techniques not found elsewhere and incorporates new research and insights that supersede earlier (pre-2002) editions of the single volume work of the same name.
Book Three draws upon ancient doctrines which were imparted to the West by Arab and Jewish astrologers. They themselves having relied on the writings of long dead astrologers: Chaldaeans, Egyptians, Greeks, Indians and Zoroastrians.
Part One deals with horary and electional astrology. Insight is given as to why a horary or electional chart, may not operate in the manner expected by the modern-day practitioner. It also briefly addresses the use of factors that fortify a planet: Cazami/Zamini (the extraordinary fortification of a planet when in the "heart" of the Sun); Almuguea of a planet (based on it's relationship, by sign, to the Sun and Moon) , and Alitifel (from Alchabitius), which gives refinement to the aspectual relationship between planets.
The Combust and Incombust hours of the Sun and Moon (also known as Albium andAlbiuth) - this doctrine, largely unknown in the West, equates to the ancient Chinese work Book of Changes (more commonly known as the I-Ching). It shows a sophisticated understanding of the Sun-Moon-Earth relationship and as such gives the predictive astrologer, as well as the New Age physicists and psychologist, a better understanding of the application of time to events.
It addresses the Duodena of the Moon.
The correct use of Planetary Hours - drawing on the work of the astrologer Bethen (as translated into Latin by Abano in the 13th century), this is a concise method for the construction of the hours and for determining what they relate to, good or bad. It also relates them to the elemental nature of the sign rising during a particular planetary hour, and thus allows the astrologer better refinement of delineation in matters such as electional astrology.
A Paraphrase of Ibn Ezra's Instructions for finding the Planetary Ruler of the Whole Chart (also known as the Almutem or Almuten figuris) - the chart ruler is considered more powerful than all the other planets put together. Its identification is essential to the proper synthesis of the natal chart. This method goes further than allowing distinction between natives, in such things as character or physiognomy, to giving direct and profound insight into the soul.
Ibn Ezra's Eight Rules for Verifying a Natal Chart - these rules allow the astrologer to place a chart into context with things greater than the individual. The rules are founded on the understanding that each person is inextricably tied to a fate that encompasses others - family, group, community, or nation. It is for this reason that natal charts may become sublimated e.g. when the native is on a plane that crashes, when going to war as a member of an army battalion, when a caught in an epidemic or famine or mass disaster that affects entire an entire region.
You may find other books from the Tools & Techniques series of interest:
