This is such a basic question I'm embarrassed to ask it, but how do you determine the lord of the hour when reading a chart?

There?s a page that gives instruction on this at http://www.skyscript.co.uk/hourrule.html and a page that shows the necessary agreement at http://www.skyscript.co.uk/hourmatch.html

Don?t be embarrassed to ask about this because none of us are born with this knowledge ? we all had to have it explained to us at sometime!

I suspect that very few horary astrologers continue to work this out manually because modern software calculates the hour ruler for us. But I think it?s good for everyone to learn how to do it and to understand how the hour rulers are derived.

Personally, I have used space-based planetary hours for ages. My arguement is that the choice of planetary hours should match the choice of house system. I.e. If you are using a time-based house system like Placidus, then stick to the traditional calculation of planetary hours (if you can agree upon the time of Sunrise!!) If you are applying a space-based house system like Regiaomontanus then you may easier access the planetary hour by observing the Sun's motion through the houses.

I have some articles on this matter at http://www.astronor.com/hours.htm