Electional astrology is all about choosing the best dates and times for new ventures and getting optimum results from our efforts. Wedding dates are more often chosen with the help of an astrologer than many others because they’re significant commitments. Other common astrology elections are for surgery and business starts. I’ve also chosen dates and times for lawsuits, job searches, salary requests, diet starts, travel, play premieres, pet purchases and dental work.
Choosing a good date astrologically cannot guarantee success. Your birth chart is more important than any particular date, and we simply cannot move the planets around like puzzle pieces to get them to fit together as we’d ideally like! But astrologers believe you’re at your best advantage when acting under more positive planetary energies. It may at times be advisable to wait for a better time to act, but often in life that can be difficult, if not impossible, so a good time will make the most of what’s available to you.
Unfortunately, once you’ve committed to a particular date, it isn’t easy to determine how things would have turned out otherwise! But I’ve had a few experiences, which show that choosing good dates with astrology does help maximize potential and avoid problems.
An elderly friend had scheduled cataract surgery. She didn’t really believe in astrology, but knowing my interest, asked how the day looked. Her scheduled time had a Void of Course Moon that would soon oppose Saturn— both bad choices for surgery! I suggested she change the date, but she wanted it over as soon as possible. She ended up with a rare complication involving swelling and the retina that took months to heal and required a second surgery.
A client was scheduled to open a play on a day that was not great astrologically. The Moon was in Capricorn and conjoined with Neptune, which seemed heavy and dull for a comedy. I suggested they choose the following day for the opening, and make the less auspicious day a preview performance; the cast and crew knew nothing about the reason for the change. The Capricorn Moon preview show was drab and lifeless— things felt ponderous and the audience was not entertained. On the new opening date, however, which had a more sparkling Aquarius Moon, things were lively and fun.
I often choose dates and times for myself when making important business moves and calls. Some years ago, I wrote to newspaper syndicates about the possibility of working with them. A large firm wrote back and suggested an interview. I was under an excellent Jupiter influence, but also chose a good day and time to follow-up. As I sat at my desk and was about to pick up the phone, a call came in from a magazine I’d been in touch with, asking for some samples— which later led to a column. I’d definitely picked a good day and time for a call!
Electional astrology should be used wisely. Some people get carried away and want the astrologer to direct every move they make. This isn’t realistic and becomes a burden for everyone. A woman once asked me to choose an exact date and time to have sex with her boyfriend for the first time. I opted out, and instead suggested a good general period of a few weeks. Some things really should be spontaneous!