The Astrological Houses

Learn About Astrology to Interpret Personal Readings

Nov 19, 2009 Brenna Coleman

To fully understand personal astrology readings, one must learn about the astrological houses.

An understanding of the astrological houses is necessary to fully examine personal astrology readings. A person’s sun sign is only one facet of astrology, delving into personality and psychological tendencies. A full reading involves planets, zodiac signs, houses, and aspects.

Take the time to learn all about astrology, study not only basic meanings of the various astrological components and symbols, but the deeper meanings and interpretations as well. A more involved understanding of the science of reading the stars will allow for a more useful awareness of one’s personal astrology chart, and the ability to help others interpret their own astrology readings.

Learn About Astrology – Fundamentals of the Astrological Houses

The astrological houses represent the sections of the sky divided into twelve parts, just like the twelve sectors of the sky represented by the zodiac signs.

When looking at a chart, these two astrological ‘wheels’ are superimposed around a central axis. The astrological houses begin on the center left of the chart, like the sun rising in the east, with the first, or ascending house. The houses are positioned in counter-clockwise locations around the chart. The position of the stars at the moment of one’s birth will determine one’s personal astrology reading, with planets sprinkled in various sectors, and signs falling within the different houses.

Each house corresponds with a different position in one’s life, with the first house to the twelfth house roughly representing the cycle from birth to death, from outward appearance to one’s life challenge or destiny, with money, relationships, and work in between. What the astrological houses represent is where the energy of a planet manifests in one’s life.

Summarized Meanings of the Astrological Houses

Each astrological house has its own unique meaning and associations.

1. The first or ascendant house is the area of personal appearances, of how an individual desires to be perceived. It is the house of first-impressions, the outward expression of self.
2. The second house rules one’s personal philosophy towards the material world. It is the realm of values, deciding emotional value versus financial value.
3. The third astrological house is concerned with relationships, particularly with siblings, friends during childhood, as well as with colleagues and neighbors. It is how one interacts and communicates in these relationships.
4. The fourth house is about the home, family, and nurturing qualities. Planets within the fourth house may explain relationships with an important parental figure, one’s sense of belonging with family, and attitudes at home. It is also a reflection of the first years of life with the last years of life.
5. The fifth house is the house of fun. Planets within this astrological house illuminate how one expresses themselves, how they are in games, leisure, and with children.
6. The sixth house is about one’s work environment. How work is done, what type of atmosphere is one comfortable to work within. It also represents health.
7. The seventh house is the arena of deep relationships, with lovers, life partners, and known enemies.
8. The eighth house is the house of sex, sexual tastes, and desires. Planets within this realm also are a manifestation of how society’s rules affect a person or vice versa.
9. The ninth house is where one’s philosophy on life is represented. It is about beliefs, views on learning, and the world.
10. The tenth house is about one’s career, about public image and ambition.
11. The eleventh house is concerned with hopes, wishes, and how one is in a group of people. It is the house of social consciousness.
12. The twelfth house, or descending house is known as the house of self-undoing. It is in a sense one of the great challenges of each individual’s life. It is the characteristics of energy that one may hide from society, and even from oneself. The twelfth house also has to do with one’s draw toward a greater reality, and with the lessons of the previous houses.

Different Ways of Interpreting Astrological Houses

There are several different ways of interpreting the meanings of different planets in the astrological houses. The most common way that astrological houses are interpreted is to view them as where a planet’s energy is expressed.

The second method involves viewing the planet’s energy as a strategy that the individual can use within the sector of life that is represented by the house. The third interpretation involves literally viewing the energy of the planet as a person or event within the astrological house. The fourth interpretation involves viewing the house as the place where the planets' lessons are learned.

To learn about astrology, it is important to accept that there are various ways of deciphering each component of a personal astrology report, instead of forcing a rigid explanation that does not actually pertain to an individual’s life as much as another explanation would. Even the astrological houses themselves include a spectrum of concepts, so inevitably, the interpretations vary dramatically and they can be as dynamic as each individual. Astrology enthusiasts use readings as an outlet for learning about strengths and weaknesses, and as a source of guidance for fulfilling personal truth and destiny.

Sources:

Johnstone, Caitlin. “The Complete Book of Astrology.” (Hinkler Books, 2003).

Clement, Stephanie. “Astrological Houses.” (The Llewellyn Encyclopedia , May 2002).

The copyright of the article The Astrological Houses in Astrology is owned by Brenna Coleman. Permission to republish The Astrological Houses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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