Roadmap for change

Over the past week I have been having some deep thoughts about this website and the direction it is taking. Change is coming, but it will hopefully be for the better.

When I started offering horary questions to the public in my local newspaper back in February 2009, my intention was simply to get more practice answering horary questions - nothing more, nothing less. To master traditional astrology, it is best to start with horary, as it is generally considered easier than traditional natal techniques. For example, John Frawley writes in The Real Astrology:

"The traditional teacher has a careful belief that it is better to start with what is easier and work towards what is more difficult. The study of modern astrology invariably begins with birth-charts, which is akin to confronting children in the first year of elementary school with the differential calculus." (pg. 31)

Since that time I have answered over 100 horary questions from people all over the world, which has been an absolutely amazing learning experience for me. I am proud to say that, 4 years after commencing my studies, I am finally beginning to feel confident with my skills in horary.

I never wanted to practice horary astrology for the public indefinitely, and for some time I have been contemplating the right time to end this free service. After much soul-searching I have made a weighty decision:

I will cease answering horary questions on 1 January 2012. After that date, I will not accept any new horary requests.

However, although the horary questions may cease, I have decided to keep the Archaic Astrology website up and running. In 2012 I will continue to offer my electional astrology service, and the site will become more focused on education. My History and Lore pages will, with luck, be completed in September, and I prey to have enough time and energy to write many more frequent blog updates.

I feel that it is important that I maintain my presence as an advocate of traditional astrology, and perennial philosophy generally. There is so much ignorance in the modern world about astrology, its true history and its true function, that I would feel ashamed to turn my back on the site at this stage.

Skeptics derride the art in utter ignorance of its traditional foundations, while the poor unwitting punters flock to modern quacks who fill their heads with the jargon of psychoanalysis. If any respect for astrology is to be maintained in the modern world, the traditional system (and the philosophy underpinning that system) must become well-known.

For as long as the public remain interested in astrology, I will remain determined both to expose the fallacy of modern astrology, and also impart the rich body of knowledge contained within the traditional system. If I can make even one person interested in learning more about the tradition, I will consider all of my time and money well-spent.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Bailey
Student in Astrology