Astrological houses

Origin and technique

The astrological house system was developed in Hellenistic astrology (2nd century BC – 2nd century AD) and was refined for centuries by Arab, medieval and Renaissance astrologers. Unlike the zodiac — which is fixed from the spring equinox — houses depend on the exact hour and place of birth. That is why exact birth time is essential for a complete natal chart.

Several house systems exist: Placidus (the most used in the West), Koch, Equal House, Whole Sign, Regiomontanus, Campanus. Each divides the sky in a slightly different way. Hellenistic-tradition astrologers tend to prefer the "Whole Sign" system (a whole sign per house); modern ones tend to Placidus. The differences affect the cusp of each house but not the general scheme.

The 12 houses and their meaning

House I (ascendant): identity, outer image, body. House II: own money, values, resources. House III: communication, siblings, short journeys. House IV: home, family, roots, inner father/mother. House V: children, creativity, romance, play.

House VI: daily work, health, routines, service. House VII: partner, associate, contracts, counterpart. House VIII: sexuality, death, inheritances, shared money, transformation. House IX: philosophy, long journeys, higher studies, religion. House X: profession, public vocation, father/boss. House XI: friendships, community, collective projects. House XII: unconscious, spirituality, retreat, the hidden.

House vs. Sign

Each planet of your chart is in a sign (which describes its quality) and in a house (which describes in what area of life it manifests). Mars in Aries in House X: direct Martian energy, expressed in the professional. Mars in Cancer in House IV: sensitive Martian energy, expressed in the home. The combination sign + house gives the complete portrait.