In astrology, the houses within a birth chart are divisions of the zodiac wheel, which is a symbolic representation of the ecliptic plane. The ecliptic plane itself corresponds to the Sun's perceived path across the sky from our viewpoint on Earth at a specific time and location.
As the zodiac wheel completes a full circle, encompassing 360 degrees, it is segmented into 12 houses, each spanning 30 degrees. These divisions align with particular points on the ecliptic plane, offering insights into various areas of life and experiences for an individual.
The Angles
The point on the eastern horizon where the Sun rises is known as the Ascendant or Rising Sign, marking the beginning of the first house.
In contrast, the point on the western horizon where the Sun sets is termed the Descendant, which indicates the start of the seventh house.
The Sun's highest point in the sky, reached at noon, is referred to as the Midheaven and signifies the inception of the tenth house.
Meanwhile, the Sun's lowest point around midnight is called the Imum Coeli, marking the onset of the fourth house.
To determine the houses in your astrological chart, it's crucial to know your exact birth time and location. With this information, you can use tools like astrology software or websites such as Astro.com to generate your chart.
The Chart Ruler
In astrology, the ruler of the sign that the First House begins in, known as the Ascendant or Rising Sign, is referred to as the chart ruler. This planet holds particular significance in the interpretation of an astrological chart. For example, if the Ascendant is at 9 degrees Scorpio, then Pluto, as the ruling planet of Scorpio, would be considered the chart ruler for that specific chart.
What are the houses and what do they mean?
Each house corresponds to a zodiac sign and a planet that rules it. The houses show how you express and experience the energy of each sign and planet in different areas of life.
The Chart Flow
Angular Houses (1, 4, 7, 10): Action
These houses, located on the primary angles of the chart, emphasize action and initiative. They correspond to the realms of identity (first house), home and family (fourth house), partnerships (seventh house), and career and public image (tenth house). Angular houses align with cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), emphasizing initiation and forward movement.
Succedent Houses (2, 5, 8, 11): Security
Adjacent to the angular houses, succedent houses focus on stability and resource management. They encompass areas such as finances (second house), creativity (fifth house), transformations (eighth house), and friendships (eleventh house). These houses resonate with fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), emphasizing preservation and consolidation.
Cadent Houses (3, 6, 9, 12): Learning
Situated next to the succedent houses, cadent houses emphasize adaptability and transition. They cover domains like communication (third house), work routines (sixth house), philosophical pursuits (ninth house), and spiritual introspection (twelfth house). Cadent houses align with mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), highlighting flexibility and change.
The Elements
The classification of houses into groups of three based on the classical elements—Fire, Earth, Air, and Water—offers insights into different facets of human experience:
Fire (Identity) Includes the 1st, 5th, and 9th houses, emphasizing themes related to self-expression, creativity, and personal beliefs.
Earth (Material) Encompasses the 2nd, 6th, and 10th houses, focusing on tangible aspects such as finances, work, and material achievements.
Air (Social, Intellectual) Comprises the 3rd, 7th, and 11th houses, highlighting areas of communication, relationships, and social interactions.
Water (Soul, Emotional) Involves the 4th, 8th, and 12th houses, addressing emotional depths, transformations, and spiritual insights.
The Hemispheres
The hemispheric divisions—upper/lower and left/right—are delineated by the horizon (Ascendant-Descendant axis) and the meridian (Midheaven-Imum Coeli axis). These divisions symbolize the balance between various aspects of life:
Upper/Lower Hemispheres Reflect the balance between personal life (lower) and social interactions/public life (upper).
Left/Right Hemispheres Represent the equilibrium between self-awareness and individual goals (left) and relationships and interactions with others (right).
By understanding these hemispheric divisions, individuals can gain insights into how they navigate their inner and outer worlds, balancing personal aspirations with social obligations.
House Interpretations
Each house corresponds to a specific area of life and is associated with a unique zodiac sign. This configuration helps astrologers interpret various facets of an individual's life based on the planetary placements within these houses.
First House - Aries (Ascendant, AC)
The First House symbolizes physical appearance, identity, and personal characteristics. It denotes resourcefulness, outlook, impressions, ego, and determination. The First House, particularly the Ascendant, pertains to how one presents oneself to the world. The ruler of the First House is Mars.
Second House - Taurus
The Second House focuses on personal finances, material possessions, and self-worth. It encompasses money, possessions, acquisitions, and cultivation. It reflects attitudes toward material assets and the capacity to accumulate wealth. The ruler of the Second House is Venus.
Third House - Gemini
The Third House governs communication, intellect, siblings, and early education. It includes exchanges of information and generosity, intelligence, and short journeys. This house showcases how individuals think, express themselves, and interact with their immediate surroundings.
The ruler of the Third House is Mercury.
Fourth House - Cancer (Imum Coeli, IC)
The Fourth House embodies ancestry, heritage, roots, and the maternal figure, such as the mother or caretaker. It relates to the foundation, home environment, housing, neighborhood matters, and emotional security. Foundational aspects of one's being are emphasized here. The ruler of the Fourth House is the Moon.
Fifth House - Leo
The Fifth House represents recreational activities, entertainment, romance, and creative self-expression. It includes games, gambling, risk-taking, and children. The Fifth House reflects hobbies, talents, and the enjoyment derived from life's pleasures. The ruler of the Fifth House is the Sun.
Sixth House - Virgo
The Sixth House pertains to routine tasks, duties, employment, and health. It encompasses skills, training, work ethic, and service performed for others. This house also emphasizes physical well-being, wellness, and healthcare.
The ruler of the Sixth House is Mercury.
Seventh House - Libra (Descendant, DC)
The Seventh House signifies partnerships, marriage, business matters, and diplomacy. It governs agreements, contracts, and official arrangements. This house influences one-on-one interactions and the qualities sought in a partner. The ruler of the Seventh House is Venus.
Eighth House - Scorpio
The Eighth House is linked to transformations, sexual relationships, joint finances, and occult matters. It encompasses cycles of death and rebirth, karmic connections, and regeneration. This house delves into deep psychological processes, inheritances, and transformative experiences.
The ruler of the Eighth House is Pluto, traditionally associated with Mars.
Ninth House - Sagittarius
The Ninth House oversees travel, foreign affairs, higher education, and philosophy. It encompasses culture, expansion, law, ethics, and exploration. This house embodies beliefs, quests for meaning, and connections to broader horizons.
The ruler of the Ninth House is Jupiter.
Tenth House - Capricorn (Midheaven, MC)
The Tenth House represents ambitions, motivations, career, and societal achievements. It includes society, government, public image, and paternal figures like the father or authority figures. This house governs public reputation and standing in society.
The ruler of the Tenth House is Saturn.
Eleventh House - Aquarius
The Eleventh House pertains to friendships, social networks, group affiliations, and collective aspirations. It includes communities, associations, and universal love. This house reflects social connections, hopes, dreams, and collaborative endeavors.
The ruler of the Eleventh House is Uranus, traditionally associated with Saturn.
Twelfth House - Pisces
The Twelfth House embodies spirituality, the subconscious, hidden strengths, and limitations. It relates to solitude, retreat, karma, and self-sacrifice. This house encompasses imagination, hidden enemies, and spiritual insights.
The ruler of the Twelfth House is Neptune, with traditional associations with Jupiter.
The various House Systems
There is not one single way to divide the sky into 12 houses. There are different methods that use different criteria to do so. These methods are called house systems and they have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are more popular than others, but none of them is universally accepted as the best or most accurate.
Some of the most common house systems are:
Placidus House System
The Placidus system is one of the most commonly used house systems in Western astrology. It divides the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun) into twelve unequal segments based on the birth location and time. The cusps (beginning points) of the houses are determined by the degree and sign of the Ascendant (the rising sign), and each house represents different areas of life and personal experience.
Koch House System
The Koch system also divides the ecliptic into twelve houses, but it uses a different method for calculating the house cusps. It utilizes the Midheaven (the highest point in the birth chart) and the Ascendant, dividing the space between them into twelve equal segments. The Koch system aims to maintain the integrity of the houses while accounting for variations in latitude.
Campanus House System
The Campanus system divides the celestial sphere into twelve equal parts from the birth location. The Ascendant and Midheaven serve as primary reference points, and the cusps are determined based on these two points. The Campanus system is known for its emphasis on the angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th), which are considered particularly significant in astrological interpretation.
Equal House System
In the Equal House system, each house is exactly 30 degrees wide. The Ascendant is used as the starting point, and subsequent houses are created by dividing the entire zodiac into twelve equal sections. This system emphasizes the individuality and equality of each house, allowing for a straightforward interpretation of planetary placements.
Whole Sign House System
The Whole Sign system is one of the oldest known house systems. It assigns an entire sign to each house, starting from the Ascendant. This means that the Ascendant and the first house have the same sign, the second house begins at the sign following the Ascendant, and so on. The Whole Sign system focuses on the sign's characteristics rather than precise degrees, providing a clear and straightforward approach to house interpretation.
You can choose which house system to use based on your preference, research or experimentation. You can also compare different house systems by using the Extended Chart Selection option on Astro.com or similar.
