What Is Horary Astrology? A Powerful Ancient Divinatory for Contemporary Questions

Do you sometimes wish you could get a reliable answer to those pressing questions in life? Where IS the cat? Will I get the job? Will we be happy if we move? Where did I lose my phone/keys/ring….???

My Horary teacher Adam Elenbass claims a 70% accuracy rate with his horary answers. Sometimes hindsight is the charm and things unknown at the time, can make sense when a chart seen initially as ‘wrong’ is reviewed when more information comes to light. Adam offers a free second reading, if your first one proves incorrect.

Timing is everything, in fact, the word Horary means “of the hour” and the time that the question is asked and clarified by your Astrologer is critical to approaching the Oracle for a meaningful answer to your question.

As a newly qualified horary astrologer in the tradition of John Frawley, I am taking my first baby steps in the craft by opening up horary readings by donation for paid subscribers. I hope you will understand that my hope is this will be mutually beneficial, offering the opportunity to you to have your pressing questions answered at a low cost, pay what you can, while allowing me to take time to build experience before offering Horary readings as a fixed cost service.

I studied with Adam Elenbass at Nightlight Astrology, who was a personal student and Mentee of John Frawley, the excellent tutors are Moonrays Astrology and Arin, who you can find on Instagram. I highly recommend the course.

Horary is an ongoing study which takes years to master, but you have to start somewhere. For full disclosure, I am repeating the year of study to pick up further nuance and engrain the basics. I have a very supportive study group of wonderful astrologers and we collaborate on the challenging charts we find, we do love a puzzle! I always ask permission before sharing any chart, which would always be anonymous.

What Is Horary Astrology?

Horary astrology is a classical branch of astrological practice that seeks precise answers to specific, pressing questions. Unlike natal astrology, which interprets a person’s character or life path based on the birth chart, horary works with the exact moment a meaningful question is asked. It is divination, the Oracle speaks to us when we sincerely seek to understand.

You might ask:

• Will I get the job I just applied for?

• Is this potential relationship worth pursuing?

• Where are my missing keys?

• Can I trust this business partnership?

• Will the cat come home?

• Will my team win the game?

  
  

Horary doesn’t look at your birth chart, so you don’t have to worry if you have never found your exact birth time.

Instead, I will cast a chart for the moment I understand your question clearly. I may need to ask some clarifying questions so that the chart can answer clearly. That chart becomes the basis for a detailed analysis, rooted in centuries of astrological technique and rigour passed down by lineage.

The Tradition of John Frawley

My training is grounded in the lineage of John Frawley, who wrote the textbook my course is based on. “Horary is the branch of astrology that provides clear, specific answers to specific questions. Quick, simple, and accurate, horary was for centuries the most valuable tool in any astrologer's work-box. Whether the question be on love, career, illness - or predicting the weather for a barbecue”

Horary in this tradition is not vague or open-ended. It offers yes/no answers, timeframes, outcomes, and conditions. It is an ethical, results-driven craft with the power to clarify what might otherwise feel confusing or opaque.

How Is Horary Different?

Horary astrology is not about psychological exploration or self-actualisation (though it can open inner doors). It is practical, radical, and responsive. Where natal astrology is the map of a person, horary is the map of a moment. It doesn’t replace natal work, it complements it, often by zooming in on the dilemmas and decisions that natal astrology can only hint at.

My Practice: Readings by Donation

Coming soon, I will offer horary readings by donation to my paid subscribers. This model honours the spirit of horary: timely, serious questions deserve attention, but not everyone can pay professional rates up front.

By inviting my subscriber community to ask real questions when the need arises, I hope to cultivate a deeper relationship between astrology and the rhythm of everyday life.

You’ll be able to submit questions using a private form, and I’ll return a written judgment based on traditional horary analysis. The judgement will have a one-sentence, no technical languange answer, so you don’t need to know astrology in order to ask a question. It will be followed by a paragraph or so offering a technical breakdown and guidance as to what it shows. I’ll also share selected anonymised cases with the paid community (if you grant permission before or after your answer), so you can learn more about how horary works through real-life examples.

Is Horary for You?

Horary is ideal when:

• You're facing a decision and need clarity (readings will have a 72 hour turnaround, but let me know if it is more urgent and I will endeavour to meet your needs where my own commitments allow).

• The situation feels urgent or emotionally charged and you are looking for perspective.

• You want to know the truth, not just a comforting version. I will be kind, but be sure you are ready to hear all potential outcomes before asking the question. I recommend you take some time to sit with your question until you are sure you are ready to ask.

• You’ve tried other methods and still feel stuck.

  
  

If you're not sure whether horary can help with your question, feel free to ask and we can figure it out together.

For example, a friend recently asked me to cast a chart to help find her husband’s lost wedding ring. She knew it was in the house, which gave me information on how to judge the chart. The significator was Mars in Leo in the 11th house. We discussed hot, fixed places it may be, but I also asked if her husband had recently done any community work for his business. The ring was found just after this, I was sent a picture, it was next to the computer that he had just been finishing some work on his Patreon and social media! Next to it was a red stylus, hello Mars in Leo.

If you’re curious, stay tuned. Horary astrology might just become your go-to astrology service for navigating life with a touch of cosmic timing.

I am so proud of my Horary certificate, it was a challenging year of study. A huge thanks to Adam, Raimundo, Erin and Nightlight Astrology School for the high standard of astrological education they continue to make available to all.

Travel well, friends,

Sonia

Celestia Astrology is a reader-supported publication on Substack, if you enjoy this work, please consider showing your support with likes, shares and comments. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Paid subscribers can join the live monthly Astrology Q&A meeting, ask Horary questions by donation, and receive the Astro Coaching Workbook and full archive of posts.

Readings are available at Celestiaastrology.com, they start at £15 for a one question reading, if you want to know more about love, career, wealth, work.