The Astrological Houses

What is meant by the Astrological Houses?

The basic main components of a birth chart are the planets, signs and houses. The planets each have meaning as does the sign the Sun was in at the time of your birth, (your Sun Sign). The twelve divisions of the Birth Chart, (or horoscope) are called the Astrological Houses and indicate the areas of life where the planetary energies become manifest.

The Houses carry a theme based on the signs that are part of the natural order of the Zodiac i.e. Aries equates with the First House, Taurus the Second, Gemini the Third, Cancer the Fourth, Leo the Fifth, Virgo the Sixth, Libra the Seventh, Scorpio the Eighth, Sagittarius the Ninth, Capricorn the Tenth, Aquarius the Eleventh, and Pisces the Twelfth.

The beauty of astrology is in the simplicity and connectedness of the systems it uses, which are multi-levelled but carry universal themes which translate to our life's experiences as individuals. There are many different house systems that can be used, but the house position all depend on an accurate time of birth. This is why the time of birth is important as it sets the chart within a twenty four hour period. Without a time of birth, an astrologer can only work with planets in signs, but not know where in the life these exist. Here is a simple description of each of the House meanings-

First House -- Cardinal Fire, Yang, Mars, Aries, Personal Self-Awareness - how others see you, personality, mannerisms, outer behavior, persona, mask, physical appearance, self-projection, early childhood, home environment, self-expression, health, vitality, image presented to others.

Second House -- Fixed Earth, Yin, Venus, Taurus, Personal Relationship to Substance -- finances, possessions, personal resources, attachments, survival needs, material security, earning and spending habits, attitudes towards possessions, wealth.

Third House -- Mutable Air, Yang, Mercury, Gemini, Personal Communication with the Environment -- mental activity, routine interactions, transmitting and receiving information, intellectual endeavors, teaching, writing, conversation, messages, correspondence, personal thoughts, the day-to-day environment, short journeys, relatives, neighbors, siblings, intimate brotherhoods or sisterhoods -- consciousness groups, covens, sanghas.

Fourth House -- Cardinal Water, Yin, Moon, Cancer, Personal Establishing Foundations -- personal integration, home, foundation, a protected and secure environment, family, traditions, your roots, heritage, and background. The source of emotional security and wholeness, the private self, introversion, the parent who played the mother role, land, property, real estate. Private life, later life conditions, circumstances and environment, end of life, subconscious, intimate ties.

Fifth House -- Fixed Fire, Yang, Sun, Leo, Personal Creative Self-Expression -- All creative extensions of yourself -- children, child-bearing, the arts, dance, drama, theater, music, personal music, romance, affairs, play, recreation, pleasure, entertainment and relaxation, games, sports, hobbies, investments, gambling.

Sixth House -- Mutable Earth, Yin, Mercury, Virgo Self Improvement -- personal reorientation, growth through crisis or sickness, analytical introspection, purification, care of the body, hygiene, nutrition, daily work environment, employment, employees, work and labor, skills and craftsmanship, service as a means of healing self and others, love and kindness to animals, self-discipline.

Seventh House -- Cardinal Air, Yang, Venus, Libra, Social Completion through Others -- what you seek in others, one-to-one or small group relationships, marriage, personal attributes of the marriage partner, dealings with others, business partnerships, legal contracts, alliances, conflict with others, litigation, cooperation or competition.

Eighth House -- Fixed Water, Yin, Mars and Pluto, Scorpio Transformation -- the emotional consequence of a relationship, intense unions, sexual activities, death and rebirth, joint resources, investments, dowries, legacies, inheritance, wills and life insurance, delving into the unknown, psychic research, surgery, the world of the occult, sorcerers, nature's secrets, deeply felt peak experiences, after-death experiences, psychology, attitudes toward growth and change, letting go, counseling.

Ninth House -- Mutable Fire, Yang, Jupiter, Sagittarius, Universal Expansion of Awareness -- the search for meaning, the higher or superconscious mind, collective thinking, abstractions, clergymen, philosophy, metaphysics, religious rituals, your belief system, ethics, and morals. Travel to distant lands, exploration, higher education, law, publishing, prophetic dreams, teachers, gurus.

Tenth House -- Cardinal Earth, Yin, Saturn, Capricorn Social Integration -- your standing in the community, public life, vocation, profession, career, business, status, societal recognition, achievements, accomplishments, reputation, the parent who played the father role, authority and authority figures.

Eleventh House -- Fixed Air, Yang, Uranus, Aquarius, Universal Social Reform -- group involvement, collective endeavors, clubs and organizations, common links to others beyond space and time, social causes, ideals, progress, the common good, humanitarianism, global awareness, impersonal love, altruism, friendships, your hopes, wishes, dreams, and aspirations.

Twelfth House -- Mutable Water, Yin, Neptune, Pisces, Universal Transcendence -- the end of the cycle where you must take care of unfinished business and resolve past karma, and come to terms with unresolved issues, ghosts from the past, retraints, places of confinement, prison, hospitals, asylum, psychological blocks, aloneness, isolation -OR- freeing yourself from past restrictions, transcending karma through grace, attaining inner peace, rendering compassionate service to humanity, retreats from the world, inner realities, universal visions, introspection, fantasies and dreams, spiritual bliss -OR- self-undoing, escapism, troubles, worries, sorrow, loss and suffering, the shadow.