The history of Horary Astrology

[Dj I.C.U.]

Horary astrology is an ancient branch of horoscopic astrology by which an astrologer attempts to answer a question by constructing a horoscope for the exact time and place at which the question was asked. The answer might be a simple yes or no, but is generally more complex with insights into, for example, the motives of the questioner, the motives of others involved in the matter, and the options available to him.
Horary astrology has been practiced for centuries in India known as Prashna Shastra (Sanskrit prasna, question). It is a branch of Vedic astrology which is still widely used across the Indian subcontinent. The more advanced form is the Astamangalam Prasna and Deva Prashna methods of Kerala. The Prashna Marga Lit (The Path of Horary Astrology) by Harihara and Krishneeyam is a very famous classic work.

William Lilly (1602-81) was an early and very well-known practitioner of horary astrology in London and his books (especially Christian Astrology) are still in print and widely used in the modern day practice of horary astrology. Today, horary astrology is still used much more in the United Kingdom, with medium popularity remaining in Germany, France, and the other Western European nations. Modern practitioners of horary following Lilly's technique include UK astrologer John Frawley, who published a textbook on the subject, The Horary Textbook (Apprentice Books, London) in 2005.