Am I cursed? An astrological approach

Given that there is a significant amount of material in traditional magical sources relating to cursing enemies (vide the last few posts), it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are means to determine whether a person is cursed or under some sort of malefic magical influence. In traditional astrology we seek the answer to this question by examining an astrological chart drawn up for the moment and applying specific horary astrology principles.

Before reading on

If you are experiencing some sort of misfortune that has you wondering whether you are cursed, it is wise to consult your natal chart as a first port of call. Suffering and bad luck is a normal part of the human experience, and, if they are fated to occur at that time, this will show up quite clearly in the Solar Return for the year, as well as in the annual profections and primary directions. If that is the case, count yourself lucky for you’ve been given a rare opportunity to develop your character and inner strength and to cultivate gratitude for the precious gifts and resources you have available to you and that are present in your life.

It’s also worth considering that believing that you are cursed can be a form of self-inflicted curse in its own right, far more dangerous to you than any would-be sorcerer flinging curses your way. Unlike your average black magician, your mind really does know your deepest, darkest fears and your weaknesses, and it has the creativity and power to make you miserable if you let it. If you already believe in the existence of curses, it may not be possible to cultivate unbelief, but it is a useful idea to develop a belief in the existence of remedial measures and your own ability to overcome any sort of curse or spiritual hardship.

That said, curses do exist and can range from anything as mild as being “overlooked” or being the recipient of the Evil Eye through someone’s envy (which can be entirely unconscious on the part of the sender) to someone actively practising some form of malefic magic to destroy you. The former is much more likely than the latter, but the latter is becoming a little more likely than it was in the not-too-distant past, as the world becomes a smaller and more connected and multi cultural place.

The astrology of curses & witchcraft

So, let’s assume that we’ve drawn up a chart for our client who wants to know whether the recent string of bad luck and misfortune, the TV that’s swallowed their daughter and the hoof marks on the ceiling are signs that they might be cursed. William Lilly in his Christian Astrology gives us the following considerations when approaching the horary chart .

1. The 12th Lord is in the 6th house, or the 6th Lord is in the 12th house, or the 12th Lord is in the 1st, or the 8th Lord is in the 1st house or the 1st Lord is in the 8th house.

Lilly tells us that this is a sign that the querent may be bewitched or under malefic spiritual influence. The 6th, 8th and 12th are unfortunate houses in general, although the 12th is the one most commonly associated with hidden enemies and witchcraft. These are only general considerations however, and we would need to see other signs of evil intent, especially since the 6th and 8th houses are also associated with illness (e.g., the 6th Lord in the 12th house can also signify a hidden illness).

2. The 1st Lord is also the 12th Lord, then this is a sign that the querent’s misfortune may have some supernatural cause.

In the whole sign house system, this can only occur when the ruler of the ascending sign is ruled by the malefic Saturn, since Capricorn and Aquarius are next to each other in the Zodiac. Lilly extends this notion to other house systems including his favoured Regiomontanus house system.

2.1. The 1st Lord and 12th Lord is Saturn, and Saturn is retrograde in the the 12th, 7th or 8th houses, and the ruler of the 6th house is the Moon and She applies to Saturn.

This is a stronger form of the more general 2nd consideration, and is a sign that the querent is “Bewitched or Forespoken or that an evil Spirit has power over him”.

3. The 1st Lord is i) combust, or ii) unfortunate in the 12th house, or iii) joined to the 12th Lord.

This is a sign that the querent is cursed or haunted.

4. The 1st Lord = the 12th Lord and it is combust.

This is a sign that the querent may be cursed. In this case, we can see what house the Sun rules, and what quarter and sign it is in, and use this information to determine which direction the witch lives and obtain a description of the witch from the sign the Sun occupies.

5. The 1st Lord = 12th Lord, and it is combust or afflicted by the 3rd Lord

In this instance, the querent is cursed, and the cause of the misfortune is determined to be a neighbour or close kin (potentially a sibling) since these are signified by the 3rd house.

5.1. The 1st Lord = 12th Lord, and it is combust or afflicted by the 5th Lord

As in 5, this indicates that the querent is cursed, and the cause of the misfortune is due to people signified by the 5th house – drinking companions, an “alewife” (i.e. someone who produces alcohol or serves it), or, more generally, a person associated with pleasurable but potentially harmful activities such as gambling or drugs.

6. The 10th Lord afflicts the 1st Lord in the 12th house

Lilly tells us that the misfortune is due to the “hand of God or some supernatural power or cause”. In practice, I have found that this can also signify a powerful or prominent enemy, or occasionally an astrological cause.

7. The 1st Lord is an unfortunate planet (Mars or Saturn), combust, and the 1st Lord is in the 12th house

This is an indication of a curse or bewitchment.

8. The 12th Lord is in the 1st house

Lilly tells us that this is an indication that “some witchcraft or evil spirit molest the party”. Although already mentioned in 1, this is a general indication of spiritual attack.

9. The Moon is in the 12th house and in opposition to the 1st or 12th Lord

As the Moon is generally a co-significator of the querent, this is also an indication of a potential curse

10. The 12th Lord afflicts the 1st Lord, the Ascendant or the Moon

This might be the clearest single indication of witchcraft as the 12th is most associated with evil spirits and Lilly does mention in his example chart for a horary question regarding potential witchcraft that unless this affliction by the 12th house is present then there can be “no strong witchcraft”.

Of course, there are other signs that can signify witchcraft, and one would need to consider the number of considerations for and against (as well as being on the lookout for signs of more mundane reasons for any suffering) before making any judgement or prescribing a remedy.

Remedies to remove curses and witchcraft

Lilly also provides us with some interesting remedies that were in use in his time in 17th Century England.

In one remedy he advises one to go to the suspected witch’s house and take some thatch or tile from over their front door. This material is then made wet with water mixed with salt and then heated over an open flame, turning it so that it becomes red hot. Any remains or ashes are then to be buried in the ground in the direction of the witch’s home.

Another remedy (which doesn’t involve potentially illegal trespassing and theft) is to take two new horseshoes and heat them until they are red hot. One is then nailed to the threshold of the door, and the other is quenched in the cursed person’s urine. This pan of urine (complete with horse shoe) is then heated over an open fire, after salt and 3 iron nails have been added to it, and boiled. Any remaining urine is poured into the fire, and the horseshoe and nails are retrieved and kept in a clean cloth. This is repeated (using the same horseshoe and nails) at least 3 times.

Divining for curses using other tools

I often get asked to confirm the existence of a curse by other practitioners of magic or spiritual systems as seen by them in their own tarot reading. In such cases, I will always draw up a horary chart rather than try to interpret their tarot reading for them. This is largely because reading the Tarot is such a personal thing and is very much dependent on how one relates to the symbols described in the cards.

The whole point of divination is to have some form of objective, or at least systematic, way of determining the veracity of any intuition or feeling or question. If you are using the Tarot to divine for a curse, there are some things you may wish to consider the following:

1) Whenever divining, but especially for yourself, it is best to approach it from an open and calm mind. William Lilly advises a period of prayer before asking a question of the heavens, and likewise, the Golden Dawn suggested an invocation of the Angel who rules over the Tarot before drawing cards.

2) It’s fallen out of favour now, but sometimes it’s a useful idea to draw a significator card for yourself and place it in the centre of your reading table to represent you. There are alot of systems to choose your significator, but one method is to choose a court card that best describes your appearance or character.

3) Think of possible cards that might show up for all potential possibilities before laying down cards. What cards might show in the following situations:

An actual curse – what cards might suggest an unconscious attack? Which might suggest a hostile enemy?

Your own mind is your enemy in this instance, potentially indicating externalisation of fear and anxiety or depression?

Outside factors not under your direct control – astrological conditions, seasonal lack of light affecting your mood, the place you are living, the general wearing effect of unpleasant and competitive work environments?

A physical or medical issue, anything from dietary changes to hidden illness?

Other spiritual issues – ancestors, a spiritual calling, a need to develop some sort of spiritual practice?