Did you know that aside from helping us gain a deeper
understanding of ourselves and the people in our lives, astrology can also pinpoint an
ideal date for important events like a major surgery, buying a house, or even getting married?
As
astrologers, we are often asked: “Why should we even bother to find this ideal marriage date and time that you’re talking about? One
day is the same as another, as longas both parties are serious and mature in their intent to
marry.”
Ummm, yes and no.
While it’s true that the number of those who pay no mind to the science and art of astrology seem to rise and fall (with the fortunes and
fates all their own), those who do honor astrological help just want an extra insurance from the
Universe that this major life event would be astrologically “favored”. Positive or negative indications can be clearly seen in the event chart.
CHARTING AN EVENT
Every event has a definite beginning, like a child’s birth
or the founding of a business, which, with a competent astrologer interpreting the signs in the
chart, can lead to enlightenment, guidance, and a glimpse into some trends for the future. The same can
be said of a marriage. Its event chart stands for its beginning - the wedding itself - and this could be made as positive
and auspicious as possible by consciously choosing the date, time, and place of the
ceremony.
By the way, the process is called a “wedding election.” The
astrologer, along with the prospective couple, put their heads together to “elect” the
date and time of the wedding, which is technically defined as the moment the couple say their “I
do’s.”
The astrologer has the obligation to state at the outset that there is no single “perfect” date and time. The couple then lay out their
conditions, requirements, and limitations. What is most important during an appointment for a wedding
election is the couple’s willingness to compromise between their desires and the recommendations of the astrologer, which are
based on astrological
principles.
PLANET OF CONTRACTS
Out of say, 15 or 16 “electional rules for marriage,” it’s very rare that all of the heavenly conditions being “required” are satisfied by the resulting
event chart. For instance, you’ve
heard about Mercury retrograde, right? Three times a year for 21-25 days each time, this planet, as seen from our Earthly
vantage point, appears to be going backward on its path.
Aside from Mercury’s symbolic
association with communication, electronics, technology, and transportation, Mercury also
rules contracts, which marriage obviously is. Well, one of the electional rules for marriage
is to avoid a wedding date when this planet is retrograde, since there is a
tendency “to go back on the contract” later on.
PLANET OF LOVE
Even more important is to find a date when the planet Venus is not retrograde. As the significator of marriage, marital harmony, and yes, love itself, Venus should be going direct in the event chart. It’s easy enough to avoid Venus Rx since it’s only retrograde (Rx) for six weeks for every 20 months or 40 days every two years, depending on the Venus cycle.
And what about the
role of the Sun and the Moon? The great astrologer Marion March, to whose work, “Electional Rules for Marriage,” we will be
referring, states, “Try to have the Sun and Moon (portraying the groom and bride) in good aspect to
each other.”
ASPECTS
What are the good aspects? A conjunction (0-8 degrees), sextile (60 degrees),
or a trine (120 degrees), which describe the distance between two planets by right
ascension. It’s easy enough to see these aspects in a natal or event chart.
But there are other things to consider. For instance, a couple I know who wanted to wed by the end of February 2016,
had the Sun in Pisces and the Moon in Scorpio in the event chart, and they are trine each
other or 120 degrees apart. Sounds auspicious, right? But taking into account other
“rules,” the Moon in Scorpio is actually to be avoided since the Moon is in its fall in this
sign. Here is Ms. Marion March again:
“Avoid the Moon in Scorpio where it is in its fall and where it can be secretive and possessive,not exactly conducive to a happy relationship. A Libra Moon, on the other hand, works well in amarriage electional chart since it seeks harmony and balance. Strong and well matched couples seem to do well with the Moon in Leo.”
Contemporary
astrologer Ms. April Elliott Kent of Big Sky Astrology has this to say: “Avoid Moon in Aries,
Scorpio, or Capricorn, unless very well aspected.”
The couple in question may just have to live with
this since they specified that they needed to be married by the last week of February 2016, and
the chosen date harmonizes with their individual charts - the guy has his birth moon in
Scorpio, which echoes the event chart’s Moon placement, and the girl has natal moon in Pisces, which
conjuncts the Sun in Pisces of the event chart.
As for the Ascendant or Rising Sign of the
event chart (the sign at the cusp of the first house), it is preferable that it be one of the Fixed
signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius), and the number of degrees no fewer than 3 or no more than 27
degrees rising. Our couple in question has 24 degrees rising in the sign of Taurus, a
pretty solid, persevering, and stable sign.
Like I said, there are no 100% ideal charts, but within the
constraints presented for consideration in a consultation, it is still an art to
determine the final event chart for a couple who approaches an astrologer for this purpose.
I wrote about
this topic to give interested individuals and couples a choice. You are making an important decision
in your lifetime. Provided that you are not being coerced into marriage, then you have a choice
about when and where you want this symbol of marital union to commence.
Please consult an
astrologer for the best results. It would be an honor for him or her to help you decide on the balance
of factors that would make your wedding date most auspicious. May blessings and light be
upon you!
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References:
Marion March, (1998) “Electional Rules for Marriage,” lecture at Online
College of Astrology,
retrieved at http://www.bigskyastrology.com/wedding-date-astrology/