Twelve Houses

Each house signifies certain events, characteristics, matters and occurrences in a person’s life. By studying the twelve houses, an astrologer can understand a person’s destiny in the various areas of life.After the ascendant is ascertained, then the order of the houses is known. The ascendant is always located in the first house; the rest of the houses proceed around the twelve signs of the zodiac.

The houses and signs are basically the same, but the signs always begin with Aries, whereas the houses always begin with the ascendant. If we say that a planet is in the first sign, it is in Aries, Virgo is the sixth sign, and Pisces the twelfth. In reference to the houses, if the ascendant is in Virgo (the sixth sign), Virgo would be the first house, Aries would be the seventh, and Leo would be the twelfth.

There is a difference between South and North Indian astrological systems concerning what the different houses rule. For example, education is ruled by the fourth house in the South and the fifth house in the North. In the South Indian system, the father is ruled by the ninth house and in the North by the tenth house.

The two most important things to consider when reading a chart are the houses and the position of the planets. For example, to understand a person’s marital position, both the seventh house and Venus’s placement are examined. To understand a person’s intelligence, an astrologer will examine both the fifth house and Mercury.

By understanding the nature of planets, houses, and signs—and how they combine, it is possible to interpret a chart. Aside from these major points, astrologers also examine the various planetary aspects, the lords of each house, etc.Significance of the Twelve Houses

First House–bodily appearance, build, health, head, mentality, personality, character, childhood, environment, self, general life direction, and the horoscope as a whole.

Second House–property, wealth, finances, vision, family, source of death, speech, food, optimism, philosophical understanding, dealing with gems, eating habits, writing ability, face, right eye, and upper throat.

Third House–brothers, sisters, cousins, heroism, determination, communication ability, writing, intelligence, arms, shoulders, and lower throat.

Fourth House–mother, friends, education, home life, general happiness, land and properties, vehicles, residential house, inherited properties, transportation, education, inner feelings, heart, chest, breasts, shoulders, and neck.

Fifth House–fame, children, son, daughter, grandfather, intelligence, sports, quality as student, romantic life, entertainment, past birth, prayer tendencies, emotions, and stomach.

Sixth House–enemies, uncles, deity worship, diseases, misery, debts, distress, disappointments, foreign countries, and navel area.

Seventh House–death, spouse, partner, marriage, marital happiness, diplomacy, sexual relationship, sexual disease, business, business partner, public dealings, energy, general happiness, short journeys, and talent.

Eighth House–longevity, delays, gifts, unearned wealth, legacies, inheritance, death, cause of death, disgrace, fear, things buried in the ground, problems, money from death, money loaning, psychological position, previous and future births, legacies, genitals, anus, and excretory system.

Ninth House–God, guru, father (South Indian system), grandchildren, religion, righteousness, charity, fame, piety, travel, shipping goods, general prosperity or affluence, all-around happiness in life, government, family, long journeys, leadership, religion, hips, and thighs. This is an important house because it rules over a person’s dharma or religious position. A strong ninth house gives a person great fortune, while an afflicted ninth house does the opposite.

Tenth House–karma, father (North Indian system), occupation, profession, self-respect, social status, economic development, reputation, dignity, philosophical knowledge, foreign travel, honor from government, temporary honor, activity, back, and knees.

Eleventh House–profit, elder brother, friends, house of gain, freedom from misery, capability to influence people, income, pets, enjoyments, sense enjoyment, calves. An afflicted eleventh house may cause the loss of brothers, friends, wealth, and may bring unhappiness and bad news.

Twelfth House–liberation, loss, expenditure, confinement, transcendental knowledge, spiritual renunciation, extravagance, waste, afterlife, sleep, dream life, sympathy, teeth, left eye, feet, and sexual enjoyment.   

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides