The Astrological Houses are mathematically calculated locations in the birth chart. Therefore, they represent positions in the sky. There are twelve Houses, each of which is governed by a different Sun sign. In Astrology, Houses constitute the "where", that is, the area of life where planetary energies act.
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What Are Astrological Houses?
The Astrological Houses are the areas of life where we direct our energies. As with the signs, each House has its domain, such as creativity, money, marriage, career, spirituality, health, among others.
The First House begins on the easternmost horizon, at the time of our birth. It is governed by the ascending sign, or cusp of House 1, and so on, counterclockwise around the circle forming the horoscope. The division between Houses is called the cusp.
The first six Astrological Houses are known as "Personal Houses" while the last six are known as "Interpersonal Houses".
The 12 Astrological Houses and the Journey Through the Zodiac
Symbolically, the Zodiac is much more than the Sun's trajectory across the horizon. It represents the journey of the human experience. It reflects the path of the soul (the Sun), throughout the various stages of life from conception, through childhood and culminating in old age.
On the Ascendant, or cusp of the First House, the soul is incarnated and assumes an ego, gains self-awareness. As it passes through the Houses, the soul undergoes a symbolic progression that culminates in Pisces, where it merges with the whole and returns to the origin of all things.
How to Calculate the Astrological Houses?
Astrologers use various methods to calculate Astrological Houses. In the Equal Houses System, each House covers a 30° segment in the birth chart (360° of the Zodiac circle to be divided by 12 signs). The Midheaven (or MC) can fall in the 9th, 10th, or 11th house, depending on the latitude in which the person was born and the time of the year.
In the Placid System (or Quadrant methods), the MC always forms the 10th house cusp. The divisions of the Astrological Houses are not the same, they can include up to three signs. The sign that stands on the cusp is the most important of all, but all signs manifest in the sphere of life to which the House is concerned. The size of a House suggests the importance of this sphere of life in a person's birth chart.
Ruler Planets and Elements of Houses
On the birth chart, the information revealed by the Astrological Houses is complemented with the characteristics of the planets positioned in the respective Houses. For example, House 1 is dominated by the influence of Mars while Saturn dominates House 10. Combined, the information on the Houses and the planets allows a more complete reading of the astrological profile, together with the characteristics of the Sun Sign and from the Ascendant.
Signs, Regent Planets and Planetary Elements of Astrological Houses
| House | Sign | Ruler Planet | Element |
| House I | Aries | Mars | Fire |
| House II | Taurus | Venus | Earth |
| House III | Gemini | Mercury | Air |
| House IV | Cancer | Moon | Water |
| House V | Leo | Sun | Fire |
| House VI | Virgo | Mercury | Earth |
| House VII | Libra | Venus | Air |
| House VIII | Scorpio | Mars or Pluto | Water |
| House IX | Sagittarius | Jupiter | Fire |
| House X | Capricorn | Saturn | Earth |
| House XI | Aquarius | Saturn ou Uranus | Air |
| House XII | Pisces | Jupiter ou Neptune | Water |
What Do Astrological Houses Say About My Personality?
The Astrological Houses are very important when reading a birth chart because they express how energy is expressed in that person. The first six Houses are known as "Personal Houses", while the last six Houses are known as the "Interpersonal Houses".
When you analyze your astral map, there is a lot of information that will help you to understand some aspects related to your way of being, behaviors, and attitudes. Since each one of us is a unique and extremely complex being and that Astrology, by itself, does not have the answer for everything, this art can be a wonderful tool for self-knowledge.
Knowing how each of the 12 Astrological Houses influences your birth chart can be extremely revealing, especially if you feel totally attuned to the characteristics associated with your Sun Sign. If you know other people with whom you share your Sign, you may feel that your personalities are completely different. This is due to several individual factors, but also to the fact that each astrological chart is unique because it has different astrological influences depending on the position of the Ascending Sign, Planets, and Houses.
On the other hand, when analyzing your astral compatibility with another person (synastry), a possible astrological incompatibility does not mean that the relationship is doomed. But yes, there is potential to work on certain aspects of the relationship and personality. Here, Astrology can help to understand the personality of each one and give clues towards making the relationship more harmonious.
For example, if Virgo occupies the second house of their birth chart but their partner has Sagittarius in the same house, it is possible that they are in disagreement about family financial management. Virgo tends to be more conservative and financially responsible, while Sagittarius has difficulty making long-term plans and views finances in a more carefree way. Value judgments aside, we were able to realize that different ways of being can have a great impact on the day-to-day life of a couple.
How do Astrological Houses Influence my Birth Chart Reading?
At the time of birth, planets are positioned in specific signs and Houses. When an astrologer interprets your birth chart, he mixes the meaning of each of the planets and the House where they are positioned, mapping out the obstacles or challenges you might face in life.
When planets visit a House, they light up that part of the map and energize that same House. Astrologers use Astrological Houses to predict which areas of your life stand out so you can take action and make better decisions.
Knowing the type of energetic forces that influence our astrological personality, we can tune in to the more positive side of cosmic energies and use them to our advantage to evolve as a person and grow spiritually, fulfilling our destiny.
The 6 Axis of Houses
Each of the axis formed by the Astrological Houses refers to a specific theme in the person's life. There are 12 houses and 6 axis:
- House 1 - House 7 - Encounter Axis
- House 2 - House 8 - Possessions Axis or Life and Death Axis
- House 3 - House 9 - Axis of Thought (learning)
- House 4 - House 10 - Axis of Individualism
- House 5 - House 11 - Axis of Relationships
- House 6 - House 12 - Axis of Existence
The 12 Houses in Astrology
- First House - Our Cosmic First Impression (House of "Self")
- Second House - Material Goods, Money, Personal Resources
- Third House - Mind, Communication, Brothers
- Fourth House - Home, Roots, Family Life
- Fifth House - Creativity, Joy, Pleasure, Children
- Sixth House - Work, Health, Exercise
- Seventh House - Love, Romance, Marriage, Social Activities
- Eighth House - Birth, Death, Sex, Transformation, Mysteries
- Ninth House - Travel, Education, Religion, Philosophy
- Tenth House - Ideal Purpose, Career and Destiny (House of Midheaven)
- Eleventh House - Friendship, Electronics, Technology
- Twelfth House - Imagination, Subconscious Mind, Secrets, Mysteries
