Katarchic astrology is the implementation of a type of

horoscopic astrology Horoscopic astrology is a form of astrology that uses a horoscope, a visual representation of the heavens, for a specific moment in time to interpret the purported meaning behind the alignment of the planets at that moment. The idea is that the pl ...

in order to determine when would be most beneficial and rewarding moment in time to take a venture or undertaking, and is also known as

electional astrology Electional astrology, also known as ''event'' astrology, is a branch found in most traditions of astrology according to which a practitioner decides the most appropriate time for an event based on the astrological auspiciousness of that time. It ...

. Electional astrology is typically used to interpret the level of success of a moment that has already taken place. In modern time, electional astrology is more commonly known as inceptional astrology.

Hellenistic In classical antiquity, the Hellenistic period covers the time in Greek history after Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC, which was followed by the ascendancy of the R ...

and

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...

traditions used the term katarchē in order to refer to electional astrology and inceptional astrology, which is also part of Katarchic astrology. Katarkhé was used to discover and confirm events of the past. These events include following the history and path taken by a certain illness, or tracking missing items and people such as criminals or those escaping slavery. Originally when Katarchic astrology was practiced, it typically was used to determine the best timing to conduct events such as weddings, and also to answer specific questions. It guided individuals on whether or not to continue or proceed in a course of action and worked to help guarantee the ideal result. In more recent times, Katarchic astrology is used to predict the future of individuals and influence the outcome of their future.

Comparison to genethlialogy

In comparison to

genethlialogy Natal astrology, also known as genethliac astrology or genethlialogy, is a system of astrology that claims to shed light on an individual’s personality or path in life based on constructing a horoscope or natal chart that includes the exact da ...

, Katarchic astrology is seen to represent less of the idea that the events of life are predetermined. Where

may see events as inevitable, Katarchic astrology thought it was possible to avoid the future the planets predicted for individuals. Some believe that those studying Katarchic Astrology were critical to the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...

and had impact on the social and political aspects of this empire. Katarchic astrology alongside

evolved into the better known interrogational astrology. This was also known as

horary astrology Horary astrology is an ancient branch of horoscopic astrology in which an astrologer attempts to answer a question by constructing a horoscope for the exact time at which the question was received and understood by the astrologer. The answer ...

at the time, and was the practice of finding an answer to a specific question in time through the use of a horoscopic chart.

Notable people in Katarchic astrology

Dorotheus of Sidon Dorotheus of Sidon (, c. 75 CE - ?? CE) was a 1st-century Greek astrologer and astrological poet, who, during the Hellenistic Period, wrote a didactic poem on horoscopic astrology in Greek, known as the ''Pentateuch'' (Πεντάτευχος; lit. ...

is one of the more significant of all authors on the topic of Katarchic astrology. His work dates back to the first century CE. His writing was translated into Arabic ca. 800 CE. Dorotheus wrote a series of five books, each one relating to topics of Hellenistic astrology. Book 5 of Dorotheus "covers all forms of Katarchic astrology, including elections and interrogations". This book focuses on different experiences humans may have had, including but not limited to finding objects or people that may have been lost, or building on life's journey. Dorotheus's writing became known among other writers in the

Byzantine period The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived History of the Roman Empire, the events that caused the ...

Augustine Augustine of Hippo ( , ; ; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings deeply influenced the development of Western philosop ...

is another notable historian with opinions on Katarchic astrology. He argued against topics of astrology and divination during his life time. He was first exposed to astrology as a

Manichean Manichaeism (; in ; ) is an endangered former major world religion currently only practiced in China around Cao'an,R. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''. SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 found ...

before he converted to Christianity. His main argument against Katarchic astrology was the way it opposed the points made by

natal astrology Natal astrology, also known as genethliac astrology or genethlialogy, is a system of astrology that claims to shed light on an individual’s personality or path in life based on constructing a horoscope or natal chart that includes the exact da ...

. He claims that if a person's future is laid out for them by their natal charts, how can choosing the timing of an event have an impact. He further explains that those astrologers who made correct predictions were truly "inspiration of evil diamons rather than the study of astrological techniques".

References

Astrology by type Hellenistic astrology {{Astrology-stub

Comparison to genethlialogy

Notable people in Katarchic astrology

See also

References