Hamzzi JournalA birth chart is only one way people use Western astrology. Traditionally, astrologers also drew charts for questions, beginnings, and communities. The four branch names tell you what kind of question a chart is meant to address.
Natal is about a birth; mundane is about a community
Natal astrology begins with a person's birth date, time, and place. It looks at the chart for that moment. Mundane astrology looks at collective subjects, such as a city or country. The name doesn't mean an ordinary or boring chart.
Horary starts with a question; electional starts with a plan
In horary astrology, an astrologer draws a chart for the time a specific question is asked. In electional astrology, an astrologer compares possible times to start an activity, such as opening a shop. These are descriptions of traditional methods, not promises that a chart can settle a question or make a plan succeed.
Choose the name by the subject
Ask what the chart is about: a person’s birth, a specific question, a planned start, or a matter affecting a community. That clue usually tells you which branch you are reading about. You do not need to learn every method to understand the labels.
A few common questions
Is horary astrology the same as a birth-chart reading?
No. A natal chart is set for a person's birth. A horary chart is set for the time a particular question is asked.
Sources & further reading
These sources explain the traditions and methods covered in this article. They do not establish predictive accuracy.
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