The houses
From Astrology In Depth
The houses in astrology are very important areas of manifestation for the different planets' functions and energies.
This subject is complicated by the existence of differing house systems. The most common house systems are Placidus, Regiomontanus and Equal-houses. On-going debate and disagreement between astrologers about these systems makes it more likely that they all have some merit in the astrological delineation.
Contents |
> edit this Structure
More commonly, the houses begin from the Ascendant, which is the point where the zodiac touches the eastern horizon - where the planets begin their (apparent) ascent up the sky.
Each system has a different way to calculate the houses from this point:
- Equal-house system divides all the houses from this point to arbitrary 30 degree slices. The Midheaven is considered a floating point of ambition and reknown.
- Placidus uses mathematical calculations to derive the exact size of each house, and considers the Midheaven to be the cusp of the 10th house.
> edit this Floating MC issue
The issue of the Midheaven (MC) often not being aligned with the 10th house in the equal-houses system is often cited. The Midheaven is considered a point of ambition and reknown, and some find it essential for it to be associated with the 10th house which deals with career and public image.
The following individuals should be studied in relation to this issue.
- Martin Luther King - has his sun conjunct the Midheaven in the equal-house 9th house.
- Marie Curie - has her sun conjunct the Midheaven in the equal-house 11th house.
- Virginia Woolf - has her sun conjunct the Midheaven in the equal-house 8th house,
Also possible:
- Albert Einstein may have had his sun conjunct the Midheaven in the equal-house 9th house, depending on the exact time of birth and exactness of timezone (LMT).
> edit this The houses
> edit this The 1st house
The first house begins with the ascendant, and reflects planets which seek to manifest their own true nature in an assertive and dominant fashion. Planets in this house influence important life decisions and the general direction the native's life takes. Non-personal planets in this house usually have more of a subtle influence, unless they are conjunct the Ascendant.
> edit this The 2nd house
The second house deals with pleasures of the senses and expression of the personal tastes and values, and planets here will influence those and be focussed on them.
> edit this The 3rd house
The third house deals with thinking patterns, information and the sharing of it, wordy expression and contact, and planets here will influence the thinking and be focussed on these areas.
> edit this The 4th house
The fourth house deals with familial context, influences of the parents, caring for others and domestic life, and planets here will reflect influences in and of these domains and be rather focussed on them.
> edit this The 5th house
The fifth house deals with enjoyment, games and fun, playful self-expression and self-appreciation, and planets here will reflect one's ability and openness for these domains and be rather focused on them.
> edit this The 6th house
The sixth house deals with skill, routine processes, the upkeep of life, servitude and work mentality, and planets here will reflect one's readiness and approach towards those and be rather focused on the regular works of this house.
> edit this The 7th house
The seventh house deals with personal social contact, association and shared activities, assimilation of external content, and planets here will reflect upon one's approach and relationship contents and be rather focussed on them.
> edit this The 8th house
The eighth house deals with challenges, extreme experiences and activities, tests of will and character, examination of the dark side, and planets here will reflect one's depth of character and be rather focused on seeking such experiences.
> edit this The 9th house
The ninth house deals with ideology, philosophy, exploration and participation on the social scene, and planets here will reflect one's views of the world and of society, and upon the desire to participate and in what capacity.
> edit this The 10th house
The tenth house deals with one's attitude toward self-advancement in society, one's readiness for a serious career, attitudes toward public image and public work, and planets here will reflect upon these and be rather focussed on them.
> edit this The 11th house
The eleventh house deals with one's readiness to break the mold and act on higher principles, attitude toward humanity as a whole, willingness to experiment with something beyond, and planets here will reflect upon these and be rather focussed on advancing them.
> edit this The 12th house
The twelfth house deals with one's dreams, one's world of imagination, the internal world and its content and unresolved baggage, and planets here will reflect upon these and be rather focussed on the internal experiences and the struggle for their expression.
