Addendum to The
Correct Use of Receptions in Traditional Astrology
© Copyright Sue
Ward 2003. All rights reserved.
Horary judgement
is about discovering what we need to know in order to draw a conclusion
and requires deftness and subtlety. It is not about applying
every technique that we ever learned to every chart. In simple
terms, horary requires that only the significators are examined,
which might be primary or secondary in terms of importance.
When judging horary
questions the aim is to see if the querent and the quesited "come
together", that is, the questioner and the person, object
or matter of their desire, respectively. This can be done in a
number of ways: by aspect, position and essential dignity. Such
a combination of arguments is applied only to those planets representing
the parties or matters being investigated. Other planets might
be used when they are relevant to the question and aid judgement.
This brief essay
addresses another method of assisting with the perfection of the
matter, that of reception, yet for that to have a bearing it must
involve the significators. Even where significators are involved
in receptions1, it is not always necessary to use them.
Much depends on context and necessity.
On page 112 of Christian
Astrology, Lilly writes this about receptions: …for many
times when as the effecting of the matter is denyed by the Aspects,
or when the significators have no aspect to each other, or when
it seemes very doubtfull what is promised by square or opposition
of the significators, yet if mutuall Reception happen betwixt
the principall significators, the thing is brought to passe, …
Notice the repetition
of the word "significators" and the use of the word
"principall" in the same regard. Lilly says that receptions
are helpful when the aspects fail to deliver, or are wanting.
There is nothing referring to his considering receptions as very
important. Receptions are not essential to judgement; they are
helpful in some cases.
Lilly provides instruction
pertaining to each astrological house, and charts follow exemplifying
one or more of the subjects discussed therein. The example charts
provide us with the opportunity to obtain insight into Lilly’s
working practices. However, the context of those charts needs
to be given careful consideration. While we might not expect Lilly
to have been assiduous in following the theory in every case,
he should have done so in most cases, because Christian Astrology is presented as a primer.
What we find is that
in almost all cases where receptions are in evidence, and where
Lilly has not applied those receptions, the preceding instruction
does not require the use of receptions in that matter or context.
In this we should reconsider the nature of essential dignity and
its derivative, reception. We should consider the instances in
which reception (and essential dignity for that matter) is a necessity.
Understanding
the rules and techniques is necessary, but it should never overshadow
the need for a deep understanding of the symbolism inherent in
them.
1 All
of the techniques mentioned in this essay are explained in other
papers available on or through this site, and in The
Traditional Horary Course.
