When creating an astrological chart, the Zodiac is divided into twelve houses. We should not confuse between twelve houses of the horoscope and the twelve signs of the Zodiac because they serve different purposes. In the traditional approach, house counting begins anticlockwise from the Ascendant.
To visualize the relationship between zodiac signs and houses, imagine the zodiac as a wheel encircling the earth, with planets moving along its rim. The twelve houses act as spokes on a rotating wheel within the larger zodiac wheel. As Earth completes one rotation every twenty-four hours, the signs and planets move through the twelve houses. The birth chart captures a specific moment’s alignment of planets, signs, and houses at the time and place of birth.
While two people born on the same day may share identical planetary sign positions, their birth charts will differ due to variations in birthplace or time. Space has been divided into signs, time into four quadrants, and these quadrants into twelve houses.
In astrology, the twelve houses correspond to the twelve signs of the zodiac, creating a meaningful link between them. For instance, the 1st house is associated with Aries, the 2nd with Taurus, and so on, aligning with the Natural Zodiac. In this arrangement, the first degree of Aries aligns with the Ascendant, and the first degree of Taurus aligns with the 2nd house cusp.
However, in actual practice, a person’s chart rarely precisely mirrors the Natural Zodiac. The connection of 0 degrees Aries with the Ascendant is logical, as both signify beginnings. Aries is linked to initiation and fresh starts, while the Ascendant and 1st house are tied to birth and our approach to life. The twelve houses represent various facets of life, expressing themselves through the signs, planets, and houses. Any planet or sign can be situated in any house, resulting in a unique blend of factors in an individual’s chart.
Although traditional meanings of each house offer general guidance, they are not strict rules. Every person’s experience is distinctive and intricate, with the houses in their chart interacting in complex ways. Furthermore, simplifying the houses to a few basic keywords is limiting. A more nuanced approach involves exploring the symbolism and meanings associated with each house and considering how they may manifest in different life areas. For instance, the 4th house can represent emotional roots, family history, and a sense of belonging, while the 9th house may relate to higher education, philosophy, and spirituality. The 12th house can encompass self-undoing, hidden enemies, and spiritual transcendence.
In addition to traditional meanings, considering the planetary rulers of each house and any planets within them offers more insight into how the energies of each house are expressed and experienced.
Interpreting the houses requires a deep understanding of the individual’s chart, approached with sensitivity, intuition, and openness to the layers of meaning and experience each house holds. Contrastingly, the meaning of other houses can be derived from the sign and planetary rulership of their corresponding zodiac signs. For example, the 2nd house associated with Taurus, ruled by Venus, often relates to finances, possessions, and values. Similarly, the 7th house associated with Libra, also ruled by Venus, is seen as involving partnerships, relationships, and harmony.
While general meanings exist for each house, interpretation in a person’s chart depends heavily on the individual and their unique circumstances. The placement of planets within a house and their aspects to other planets can significantly modify the overall interpretation. House cusps, where a house begins and ends, falling in different signs with different planetary rulers, add complexity to interpretation.
Now let us understand the meaning of each house and what are its significations.
These twelve houses of the chart, each have its significance and influence on a person’s life. The twelve houses in the chart are depicted as under. The number shown here indicates the sign that falls in the house and it is not the house number. However, if you consider Aries as the first sign in Lagna then the sequence of houses is the same however again I am mentioning that the number here is not the house number but the Sign falling in that house.
The House indicates a particular area of life, as the First House will indicate self, health, ego, and life path and the Second House will indicate wealth, growth, extended family, etc. Here as an introduction, I will be mentioning just some significations of each house that will be discussed when we cover each house further. Broad significations of twelve houses are as under: –
1st House: Personality, physical appearance, life path, complexion, soul, character, wisdom, habits, likes, dislikes, and overall disposition in life.
2nd House: Finances, prosperity, wealth, relations on the father’s side, family, in-laws, speech, taste and wisdom.
3rd House: Younger siblings, courage, skills, physical features like hands and throat, father’s health, neighbors, servants, talents, valor, commendation for noble qualities, and longevity of parents.
4th House: Home, property, conveyance, education, mother, happiness, domestic bliss, mental peace, valuable assets, and comforts.
5th House: Children, speculative activities, future luck, love affairs, romance, creative talents, spiritual pursuits, emotions, faith in God, and research-oriented activities.
6th House: Debts, enemies, servants, health issues, maternal relatives, court cases, and wasteful expenses.
7th House: Marital status, life partner, spouse, business partnerships, legal matters, and relations with father’s siblings.
8th House: Longevity, hidden matters, accidents, inheritance, life insurance, occult matters, recovery from illness, and gains through one’s spouse.
9th House: Past life karma, spiritual matters, destiny, religious pursuits, and state affairs or governance.
10th House: Profession, career, authority, trade, honor, prestige, and relationships with maternal relatives, adopted children, and mother-in-law.
11th House: Elder siblings, gain from elders, friendships, and freedom from misery or challenges.
12th House: Transformation, losses, expenses, pleasures, spiritual pursuits leading to liberation (Moksha), foreign travel, charitable activities, secret sorrows, imprisonment, and physical aspects like the left eye and feet.
These twelve houses play a crucial role in Vedic astrology, influencing various aspects of a person’s life, including their personality, relationships, career, and spiritual journey.
Let us understand Each House in detail in next pages
ASTRO GIVA 