Books:
summaries
Descriptions and reviews
welcome. Email: journal@astrologicalassociation.com
Victor Olliver, editor of The
Astrological Journal
Horary
Astrology: The Practical Way to Learn your Fate: Radical Charts for Student and
Professional
Petros Eleftheriadis
The
Wessex Astrologer, pb £12.50
The key
word in the title is ‘practical’. Eleftheriadis assumes that the reader is
familiar with traditional theory (and if not, you are kindly invited to get up
to speed with Barbara Dunn’s Horary
Astrology Re-Examined) before he presents over fifty charts from his client
files, used to illustrate various techniques to find answers to such questions
as: “Will I get a divorce?” or “Will my blood tests be OK?”.
Rather
refreshingly, Eleftheriadis states baldly that the whole point of consulting an
astrologer is to find out about one’s future, though he has sharp cautionary
words on not encouraging clients to pursue questions designed to avoid ‘fate’. He
dares to differ from Lilly on certain matters, states that Ptolemy didn’t
understand the logic behind the Egyptian terms (which Eleftheriadis prefers –
his essay on this at the back is informative and fascinating)) and he is not terribly
keen on fixed stars or antiscia in horary. Having doubtless ruffled a few
feathers, the book moves onto exposition.
Structurally
and logically, life theme queries are addressed by relevant house e.g. ‘Tenth
House Matters – Career and Achievement’ or ‘Seventh House Matters –
Relationships’. The tone is direct, and techniques and interpretation are
treated succinctly under crossheads which encourage a step-by-step application.
This ensures rigour. Not all traditionalists will agree with his approach yet
it will be hard to find a more cogent analysis of horary charts.
Before
he came to astrology, Eleftheriadis studied Law and French Literature in
Greece, and one senses a polymath at work who (happily) wears his learning
lightly. Even if you’re new to horary, this book is likely to whet your
appetite, while students and practitioners will find rich pickings here to add
nuance to their knowledge and work.
