Electional Astrology Rules
Text
ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY
Marion D. March
These are charts erected for a specific purpose or event. You elect or choose to get
married, move, buy a house, take a new job, start a business, go on a trip or any other
important matter you decide on. Remember that Astrology is always Astrology and the tried
and true Keywords always apply.
GENERAL RULES
Only use applying aspects – by the time the aspects separate, the elected event may be
over.
The Moon is the primary consideration in electional charts. A difficult or “afflicted” Moon
precludes ease in doing the specific thing you elect to do.
Therefore avoid squares from the Moon. Oppositions are less troublesome than squares,
as are quincunxes (inconjuncts), though they can signify delays as well as the need for
some changes.
A waxing Moon is always considered more advantageous than a waning one, but stay away
from the exact New Moon – wait at least 12 hours.
A Void of Course Moon rarely brings the desired result in an electional chart – unless you
are opting for a non-occurrence, such as mailing your income tax so it will NOT be audited.
Most of the astrological calendars in use, such as Maynard’s or Llewellyn’s, have daily lunar
aspects, making your life relatively easy.
Except for Saturn ruled affairs (builders, printers, administration, etc.) try to keep Saturn
out of the angles. Cadent houses are best. The same principle applies to Uranus, and
under certain circumstances, to Mars.
Choose a Rising Sign that benefits the matter you are electing.
Most electional charts benefit by having the Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter above the
horizon.
In Electional Astrology the North Node is considered favorable, whereas the South Node is
judged as rather unfavorable.
Cardinal Signs are best for new ventures and events that require initiative and energy. They
are not good for events that need sustained effort. Fixed signs have a lasting quality while
Mutable Signs are flexible.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 1 of 7
Remember the nature of the planets, and especially with flowing aspects, they can
describe in what events they would be helpful. If you want to be a talk show host or a car
salesman, you would look for a strong Mercury; artistic pursuits would favor a prominent
Venus; if rock climbing or emulating Evel Knievel is your forte, look for an angular Mars;
Jupiter in high focus promises travel benefits; a strong Saturn is necessary for most
businesses since it affords discipline and organization; Uranus is wonderful for ventures
that are unique as well as businesses that involve computers or novel gadgetry; a 1st or 10th
house Neptune can be wonderful for the film industry or anything where charisma, glamor,
or creativity are meaningful, but not too helpful for other matters; the intensity of Pluto
needs to be handled with care, but it can be very beneficial in areas where power play is
called for.
Electional Astrology is one of the few times where your natal chart takes second place to
the Electional chart. Look for favorable aspects between it and your natal chart after you
have fulfilled the other “rules.” The Electional Chart is the birth chart of whatever event you
choose; as such it should benefit that event first and be compatible with your chart
second. Yet your natal chart by progression, direction or transit should indicate that you
wish to get married, open a new business, move, or whatever the case may be.
You can strengthen even challenged planets by placing them in good aspect with the
angles or angle rulers. (Mars square the Sun and quincunx Mercury, but trine the Ascendant
or Ascendant ruler).
MOST IMPORTANT: THERE IS NO PERFECT CHART. You will always have to make
concessions along the way.
MARRIAGE
One of the most frequent requests calling for an electional chart is: “Please find me a good
time to get married.” To save you untold hours of work, be sure to ask for certain
perimeters, such as a definite month, and better yet, the week-ends in that month, and
best of all – just one or two possible dates. With too much leeway, the responsibility is
awesome and the time needed unpayable. The marriage starts with the first “I do.”
Here are some of the positions to look for – and remember, perfection is impossible:
1. No squares from the Moon and no void of course Moon. Try for a waxing Moon.
2. Fixed signs on the Ascendant (long lasting relationship). Of the other signs, Libra is
best, though both Cardinal and Mutable could be short lived.
3. Sun and Moon in good aspect to each other.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 2 of 7
4. Rulers of the Ascendant and Descendant in good aspect to each other.
5. Avoid an angular Saturn, cadent is best, succedent next. Avoid approaching difficult
aspects to Saturn – that includes conjunctions.
6. Avoid an angular Uranus, especially keep it out of the 1st and 7th houses.
7. Try to get the luminaries as well as Venus and Jupiter above the horizon.
8. Try to get good aspects between Venus and Mars, between the Ascendant and Venus,
Ascendant and Jupiter, Moon and Venus.
9. A strong, well aspected Venus is very helpful.
10. Avoid Moon in Scorpio; best position is probably Moon in Libra.
11. Avoid Sun or Moon opposite Uranus, it can indicate a separation or divorce.
12. The 10th house will show what can happen to the couple, the 4th indicates the end of the
marriage.
MOVING INTO A HOUSE
1. Erect a chart for the moment you move the first personal object into the house.
2. Most of the general rules apply, with a good Moon being imperative, a waxing Moon
most helpful.
3. Unless this is a temporary residence, try to get a fixed Ascendant.
4. The rulers of the 1st and 4th houses should be in good aspect to each other.
5. Avoid Saturn or Mars in the 7th house.
6. Elevated Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter are helpful, as is a cadent Saturn.
7. Unless you want a really exciting homelife, try to keep Mars and Uranus out of the
angles.
8. Whereas you should not buy a house while Mercury or Venus are retrograde, it
does not seem to affect the move into the house.
BUYING A NEW CAR
1. Keep all the usual rules for the Moon in mind; additionally opt for a fixed Moon
unless this is a temporary car.
2. When buying anything, the Ascendant and its ruler describe the buyer, the
Descendent and its ruler denote the seller.
3. Rulers of the 3rd (car) and 2nd (money) houses should be in good aspect to the
Ascendant (you).
4. If this car is a long time investment, try to get a fixed Ascendant.
5. With an expensive car be sure to avoid a retrograde Venus.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 3 of 7
6. Never sign any kind of contract, including buying a car on an installment basis, when
Mercury is retrograde.
7. Don’t buy anything mechanical or relating to machines (includes cars) while Mars is
retrograde.
BUYING A HOUSE
All of the above applies, also for buying land, and add:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Look to the 4th to describe the house or land itself.
Try to strengthen this astrological house and its ruler.
Avoid hard aspects from Mars and Uranus.
Be sure the Moon is in good aspect, and if possible in Cancer or Taurus.
Good aspects between the 1st and 7th houses are very beneficial.
Avoid rulers of angles being retrograde.
LAWSUITS
1. The Ascendant, its ruler and planets in the 1st house denote the person who
initiates the lawsuit.
2. The Descendant, its ruler and planets in the 7th house denote the other side.
3. If you wish the initiator to win, let Aries, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn or Aquarius
rise, particularly the first two are helpful.
4. Try to have a chart ruler that is stronger than the Descendent ruler, by dignity,
aspect, high focus and so on. The reverse of course if you wish the Descendent
person to win.
5. Never start a lawsuit with a weak or afflicted Moon.
TRIPS
No special chart ever seems to work, since you cannot reliably predict the time of
departure from the airport.
You can look at the aspects of the day as they relate to your natal chart, and how the
transits relate to each other.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 4 of 7
Squares to the Moon are best avoided, but many successful rips have been taken while
the Moon squared certain planets. Just count on annoyances, possible small problems,
unexpected run-ins with people, etc.
Retrograde Mercury is quite benign when leaving on a trip, it seems to always get you back
home.
SURGERY
In most cases surgery is not optional but must be performed and nearly always at the
convenience of the doctor, hospital and surgical team. Even if you have a choice, such as
the doctor saying: “Sometime next week” or “within the next few days” don’t get too
excited: the carefully chosen 2:35 pm may not fit the doctor’s or hospital’s schedule. The
promised 8:00 am often turns out to be 8:45 am. Therefore it may not be worthwhile to
erect an Electional Chart.
But there are some things you can do, that is if you have the choice of at least the day.
There are lots of things you can avoid. Most of them are based on some of the general rules
quoted at the beginning, the rest are based on astrological knowledge.
1. Try and avoid surgery when the transiting Moon is in the sign of the part to be
operated on. Heart/Leo, head/Aried, stomach/Cancer, throat/Taurus,
prostate/Scorpio etc.
2. Transit Moon in Scorpio has proven to be unfavorable for any sort of surgery.
3. Transit Moon void of course may negate the surgery, in other words, nothing may
come of it.
4. Full Moon by transit. Statistics show that more bleeding occurs during this time. The
New Moon phase is good for many types of operation, but those involving veins,
arteries or the heart are best performed when the Moon is waning.
5. Transit Mercury retrograde. Some part or all of the surgery may have to be redone.
6. Transit Mars retrograde. Mars rules the surgeon as well as the surgery – the outcome
may be different than you expected, and often not favorable. (The surgeon can also
be represented by the 7th house.)
What you do want is good aspects (trines and sextiles) to the Sun and Moon, to the
planet ruling the surgery in question, to the ruler of the natal and progressed 8th house
(surgery) cusp, and, if possible, a protective Jupiter.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 5 of 7
Do not worry if transiting Mars is going through the natal 8th house, or if Mars is heavily
involved by progression, direction or transit. That just shows the fact that surgery is
indicated.
BUSINESS
This category is one of the hardest to pinpoint, since each business is ruled by a
different planet and therefor different things must be looked for.
A business starts when you unlock the door, let the first customer enter, cut a ribbon,
ring a bell or whatever official way you can think of which means you are now “in
business.”
A corporation (any business that is incorporated) starts when the incorporation is
approved by the state. In most states the exact time is hard to pinpoint and 12 noon
charts have proven quite reliable.
In a business chart, more than any other, decide which planet rules the business and
make that planet prominent and well aspected.
No squares from the Moon; but lots of other aspects from the Moon can be very
helpful, especially to the Sun, the planet ruling the business and the Ascendant; no
void of course Moon; if possible a waxing Moon.
No retrograde Venus. No retrograde Mercury if Mercury rules the business.
Try to get the Sun into the house that describes the goals of the business.
In all business ventures some good aspects to Saturn are important; but keep it out of
the angles, unless the business in question is ruled by Saturn. Sun trine or sextile
Saturn is particularly beneficial.
Sun sextile Jupiter is helpful for early success.
The Ascendant should be well fortified, but for most businesses, the Midheaven is
even more important than the Ascendant.
Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter above are beneficial.
Try to avoid major applying aspects from Pluto or Neptune to the Sun, Moon, Mars or
Saturn within the first two years. These two transcendentals can pull a young business
down rapidly.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 6 of 7
Try to use your astrological knowledge to meet certain situations. In electional astrology
the Moon can become the significator of the chart and therefore its position by aspect
and sign becomes doubly meaningful. A well aspected Moon in Taurus, for example,
could help assure monetary gains as well as steadfastness. In Gemini it would be ideal
for a bookstore but not so good for a business that thrives on repetition and routine. The
Moon in Leo is fabulous for ventures requiring extravagance, one-man showmanship, or
advertising. In Sagittarius for salesmanship; the Moon in Capricorn is tops for
organization. These are just a few ideas to get you going.
Remember that every electional chart requires a different approach. Let’s say you want
to buy a house and therefore have the 4h house emphasized. You can’t put the Sun
there, since no self-respecting realtor will let you sign a contract around midnight. But
you might get the Moon or Jupiter into the 4th.
Assume you wish to throw a large party but your favorite hotel or restaurant can only
offer you three possible dates for the rest of the year. Work with it by reinforcing the 5th
and 11th houses, by moving the start of the party to position the chart ruler as favorably
as you can etc. and so on.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 7 of 7
Marion D. March
These are charts erected for a specific purpose or event. You elect or choose to get
married, move, buy a house, take a new job, start a business, go on a trip or any other
important matter you decide on. Remember that Astrology is always Astrology and the tried
and true Keywords always apply.
GENERAL RULES
Only use applying aspects – by the time the aspects separate, the elected event may be
over.
The Moon is the primary consideration in electional charts. A difficult or “afflicted” Moon
precludes ease in doing the specific thing you elect to do.
Therefore avoid squares from the Moon. Oppositions are less troublesome than squares,
as are quincunxes (inconjuncts), though they can signify delays as well as the need for
some changes.
A waxing Moon is always considered more advantageous than a waning one, but stay away
from the exact New Moon – wait at least 12 hours.
A Void of Course Moon rarely brings the desired result in an electional chart – unless you
are opting for a non-occurrence, such as mailing your income tax so it will NOT be audited.
Most of the astrological calendars in use, such as Maynard’s or Llewellyn’s, have daily lunar
aspects, making your life relatively easy.
Except for Saturn ruled affairs (builders, printers, administration, etc.) try to keep Saturn
out of the angles. Cadent houses are best. The same principle applies to Uranus, and
under certain circumstances, to Mars.
Choose a Rising Sign that benefits the matter you are electing.
Most electional charts benefit by having the Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter above the
horizon.
In Electional Astrology the North Node is considered favorable, whereas the South Node is
judged as rather unfavorable.
Cardinal Signs are best for new ventures and events that require initiative and energy. They
are not good for events that need sustained effort. Fixed signs have a lasting quality while
Mutable Signs are flexible.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 1 of 7
Remember the nature of the planets, and especially with flowing aspects, they can
describe in what events they would be helpful. If you want to be a talk show host or a car
salesman, you would look for a strong Mercury; artistic pursuits would favor a prominent
Venus; if rock climbing or emulating Evel Knievel is your forte, look for an angular Mars;
Jupiter in high focus promises travel benefits; a strong Saturn is necessary for most
businesses since it affords discipline and organization; Uranus is wonderful for ventures
that are unique as well as businesses that involve computers or novel gadgetry; a 1st or 10th
house Neptune can be wonderful for the film industry or anything where charisma, glamor,
or creativity are meaningful, but not too helpful for other matters; the intensity of Pluto
needs to be handled with care, but it can be very beneficial in areas where power play is
called for.
Electional Astrology is one of the few times where your natal chart takes second place to
the Electional chart. Look for favorable aspects between it and your natal chart after you
have fulfilled the other “rules.” The Electional Chart is the birth chart of whatever event you
choose; as such it should benefit that event first and be compatible with your chart
second. Yet your natal chart by progression, direction or transit should indicate that you
wish to get married, open a new business, move, or whatever the case may be.
You can strengthen even challenged planets by placing them in good aspect with the
angles or angle rulers. (Mars square the Sun and quincunx Mercury, but trine the Ascendant
or Ascendant ruler).
MOST IMPORTANT: THERE IS NO PERFECT CHART. You will always have to make
concessions along the way.
MARRIAGE
One of the most frequent requests calling for an electional chart is: “Please find me a good
time to get married.” To save you untold hours of work, be sure to ask for certain
perimeters, such as a definite month, and better yet, the week-ends in that month, and
best of all – just one or two possible dates. With too much leeway, the responsibility is
awesome and the time needed unpayable. The marriage starts with the first “I do.”
Here are some of the positions to look for – and remember, perfection is impossible:
1. No squares from the Moon and no void of course Moon. Try for a waxing Moon.
2. Fixed signs on the Ascendant (long lasting relationship). Of the other signs, Libra is
best, though both Cardinal and Mutable could be short lived.
3. Sun and Moon in good aspect to each other.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 2 of 7
4. Rulers of the Ascendant and Descendant in good aspect to each other.
5. Avoid an angular Saturn, cadent is best, succedent next. Avoid approaching difficult
aspects to Saturn – that includes conjunctions.
6. Avoid an angular Uranus, especially keep it out of the 1st and 7th houses.
7. Try to get the luminaries as well as Venus and Jupiter above the horizon.
8. Try to get good aspects between Venus and Mars, between the Ascendant and Venus,
Ascendant and Jupiter, Moon and Venus.
9. A strong, well aspected Venus is very helpful.
10. Avoid Moon in Scorpio; best position is probably Moon in Libra.
11. Avoid Sun or Moon opposite Uranus, it can indicate a separation or divorce.
12. The 10th house will show what can happen to the couple, the 4th indicates the end of the
marriage.
MOVING INTO A HOUSE
1. Erect a chart for the moment you move the first personal object into the house.
2. Most of the general rules apply, with a good Moon being imperative, a waxing Moon
most helpful.
3. Unless this is a temporary residence, try to get a fixed Ascendant.
4. The rulers of the 1st and 4th houses should be in good aspect to each other.
5. Avoid Saturn or Mars in the 7th house.
6. Elevated Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter are helpful, as is a cadent Saturn.
7. Unless you want a really exciting homelife, try to keep Mars and Uranus out of the
angles.
8. Whereas you should not buy a house while Mercury or Venus are retrograde, it
does not seem to affect the move into the house.
BUYING A NEW CAR
1. Keep all the usual rules for the Moon in mind; additionally opt for a fixed Moon
unless this is a temporary car.
2. When buying anything, the Ascendant and its ruler describe the buyer, the
Descendent and its ruler denote the seller.
3. Rulers of the 3rd (car) and 2nd (money) houses should be in good aspect to the
Ascendant (you).
4. If this car is a long time investment, try to get a fixed Ascendant.
5. With an expensive car be sure to avoid a retrograde Venus.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 3 of 7
6. Never sign any kind of contract, including buying a car on an installment basis, when
Mercury is retrograde.
7. Don’t buy anything mechanical or relating to machines (includes cars) while Mars is
retrograde.
BUYING A HOUSE
All of the above applies, also for buying land, and add:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Look to the 4th to describe the house or land itself.
Try to strengthen this astrological house and its ruler.
Avoid hard aspects from Mars and Uranus.
Be sure the Moon is in good aspect, and if possible in Cancer or Taurus.
Good aspects between the 1st and 7th houses are very beneficial.
Avoid rulers of angles being retrograde.
LAWSUITS
1. The Ascendant, its ruler and planets in the 1st house denote the person who
initiates the lawsuit.
2. The Descendant, its ruler and planets in the 7th house denote the other side.
3. If you wish the initiator to win, let Aries, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn or Aquarius
rise, particularly the first two are helpful.
4. Try to have a chart ruler that is stronger than the Descendent ruler, by dignity,
aspect, high focus and so on. The reverse of course if you wish the Descendent
person to win.
5. Never start a lawsuit with a weak or afflicted Moon.
TRIPS
No special chart ever seems to work, since you cannot reliably predict the time of
departure from the airport.
You can look at the aspects of the day as they relate to your natal chart, and how the
transits relate to each other.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 4 of 7
Squares to the Moon are best avoided, but many successful rips have been taken while
the Moon squared certain planets. Just count on annoyances, possible small problems,
unexpected run-ins with people, etc.
Retrograde Mercury is quite benign when leaving on a trip, it seems to always get you back
home.
SURGERY
In most cases surgery is not optional but must be performed and nearly always at the
convenience of the doctor, hospital and surgical team. Even if you have a choice, such as
the doctor saying: “Sometime next week” or “within the next few days” don’t get too
excited: the carefully chosen 2:35 pm may not fit the doctor’s or hospital’s schedule. The
promised 8:00 am often turns out to be 8:45 am. Therefore it may not be worthwhile to
erect an Electional Chart.
But there are some things you can do, that is if you have the choice of at least the day.
There are lots of things you can avoid. Most of them are based on some of the general rules
quoted at the beginning, the rest are based on astrological knowledge.
1. Try and avoid surgery when the transiting Moon is in the sign of the part to be
operated on. Heart/Leo, head/Aried, stomach/Cancer, throat/Taurus,
prostate/Scorpio etc.
2. Transit Moon in Scorpio has proven to be unfavorable for any sort of surgery.
3. Transit Moon void of course may negate the surgery, in other words, nothing may
come of it.
4. Full Moon by transit. Statistics show that more bleeding occurs during this time. The
New Moon phase is good for many types of operation, but those involving veins,
arteries or the heart are best performed when the Moon is waning.
5. Transit Mercury retrograde. Some part or all of the surgery may have to be redone.
6. Transit Mars retrograde. Mars rules the surgeon as well as the surgery – the outcome
may be different than you expected, and often not favorable. (The surgeon can also
be represented by the 7th house.)
What you do want is good aspects (trines and sextiles) to the Sun and Moon, to the
planet ruling the surgery in question, to the ruler of the natal and progressed 8th house
(surgery) cusp, and, if possible, a protective Jupiter.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 5 of 7
Do not worry if transiting Mars is going through the natal 8th house, or if Mars is heavily
involved by progression, direction or transit. That just shows the fact that surgery is
indicated.
BUSINESS
This category is one of the hardest to pinpoint, since each business is ruled by a
different planet and therefor different things must be looked for.
A business starts when you unlock the door, let the first customer enter, cut a ribbon,
ring a bell or whatever official way you can think of which means you are now “in
business.”
A corporation (any business that is incorporated) starts when the incorporation is
approved by the state. In most states the exact time is hard to pinpoint and 12 noon
charts have proven quite reliable.
In a business chart, more than any other, decide which planet rules the business and
make that planet prominent and well aspected.
No squares from the Moon; but lots of other aspects from the Moon can be very
helpful, especially to the Sun, the planet ruling the business and the Ascendant; no
void of course Moon; if possible a waxing Moon.
No retrograde Venus. No retrograde Mercury if Mercury rules the business.
Try to get the Sun into the house that describes the goals of the business.
In all business ventures some good aspects to Saturn are important; but keep it out of
the angles, unless the business in question is ruled by Saturn. Sun trine or sextile
Saturn is particularly beneficial.
Sun sextile Jupiter is helpful for early success.
The Ascendant should be well fortified, but for most businesses, the Midheaven is
even more important than the Ascendant.
Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter above are beneficial.
Try to avoid major applying aspects from Pluto or Neptune to the Sun, Moon, Mars or
Saturn within the first two years. These two transcendentals can pull a young business
down rapidly.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 6 of 7
Try to use your astrological knowledge to meet certain situations. In electional astrology
the Moon can become the significator of the chart and therefore its position by aspect
and sign becomes doubly meaningful. A well aspected Moon in Taurus, for example,
could help assure monetary gains as well as steadfastness. In Gemini it would be ideal
for a bookstore but not so good for a business that thrives on repetition and routine. The
Moon in Leo is fabulous for ventures requiring extravagance, one-man showmanship, or
advertising. In Sagittarius for salesmanship; the Moon in Capricorn is tops for
organization. These are just a few ideas to get you going.
Remember that every electional chart requires a different approach. Let’s say you want
to buy a house and therefore have the 4h house emphasized. You can’t put the Sun
there, since no self-respecting realtor will let you sign a contract around midnight. But
you might get the Moon or Jupiter into the 4th.
Assume you wish to throw a large party but your favorite hotel or restaurant can only
offer you three possible dates for the rest of the year. Work with it by reinforcing the 5th
and 11th houses, by moving the start of the party to position the chart ruler as favorably
as you can etc. and so on.
Electional Astrology Rules
Page 7 of 7
Dublin Core
Title
Electional Astrology Rules
Subject
Astrology
Creator
Marion D. March
Format
PDF
Language
English
Collection
Citation
Marion D. March, “Electional Astrology Rules,” AIP Special Collections, accessed September 4, 2025, https://special-collections.alexandriaibase.org/items/show/55.