Beyond the Void of Course Moon, several other celestial conditions can undermine even a well-constructed election. These are critical avoidances that can introduce failure, confusion, or hidden weakness into your endeavor.

1. Retrograde Planets

• Meaning: A retrograde planet's energy is turned inward, delayed, or revisiting the past. It cannot act decisively in the external world.
• General Rule: Avoid having key significator planets retrograde.
  • Mercury Retrograde: Avoid for signing contracts, launching communications, or starting projects requiring clear thinking.
  • Mars Retrograde: Avoid for initiating action, starting competitions, or surgery (energy is frustrated).
  • Venus Retrograde: Avoid for starting relationships, marriages, or artistic launches (love and aesthetics are re-evaluated, not new).

2. Combustion

• Meaning: A planet is combust when it is too close to the Sun (typically within 4-6 degrees). The Sun's overwhelming light "burns up" the planet's energy, severely weakening it.
• Rule: Avoid having your key significators combust. For example, the ruler of your Ascendant (you) combust would signify you are weakened, invisible, or powerless in the matter.

3. Eclipses

• Meaning: Eclipses are times of sudden, fated change and revelation. They "obscure" the light of the luminaries (Sun and Moon).
• Rule: Never initiate a new venture under a Solar or Lunar Eclipse, especially if it conjuncts a key point in your election chart (Ascendant, Midheaven). An eclipse at the start of something injects an unpredictable, often chaotic energy that can obliterate your intentions.

Examples in Practice:

• Example: Electing to Launch a New Product (Mercury).
  • Scenario: The election chart has Mercury (ruling communication/marketing) retrograde and combust the Sun.
  • Judgment:Reject this time. The product launch will be plagued by miscommunication, delayed messaging, and a failure to reach the public (combust). The marketing strategy will need a complete revision (retrograde).
• Example: Electing a Wedding Date (Venus).
  • Scenario: The chosen date has Venus, the planet of love, retrograde.
  • Judgment:This is a very poor election. The marriage may be based on a rekindled old flame or may involve one partner being unsure. The relationship will be defined by re-evaluation and doubt, not clear-forward motion.
• Example: Starting a Business (The Sun).
  • Scenario: You elect a time for a business launch, unaware it is the day of a Solar Eclipse conjunct the Midheaven (career).
  • Judgment:Catastrophic election. The eclipse on the MC will bring sudden, unpredictable, and likely negative changes to the business's reputation and goals. The company's future is now tied to fated, uncontrollable events.