The Twelve Houses (2007 Edition): Exploring the Houses of the Horoscope

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The 1st House is potentially the most important house of the natal chart. The planets within this house, as well as its planetary ruler by sign and house, give invaluable insight to one's inherent, intuitive way of being, in addition to how we are most commonly perceived. This is the only house of the chart about just us - this is the space of me, myself, and I. Under this system, which Zipporah Dobyns called the “12-letter alphabet,” the 12 Zodiac Signs are aligned with the 12 Houses and the planets. So the sign Aries is linked to the First House and Mars, Taurus to the Second House and Venus, Gemini to the Third House and Mercury, so on around the wheel of houses. That way, new students only had to remember the 12 letters (based on the 12 Zodiac signs), rather than a lot of different pieces. That said, in so much as challenges to the bodily system can generate a need to pursue better health in the form of daily maintenance - an exercise routine and healthy diet, perhaps - transits to and planets in the 6th House can indeed generate positive health outcomes in the long-term. The 6th's role in work, as opposed to one's career, a 10th House affair, is the daily efforts we make, step by step, putting in the hard yards that will eventually lead us towards accomplishment. It's not sexy, but it's what most of us know as reality: there are always errands to be run, clothes to be washed, mouths to be fed.

Unlike the 7th, which is a more formalized experience of relationship, the 5th House is where we let it all hang out and experiment with romantic entanglements just for fun (with a capital F). Equally, it should be noted that while some attribute sex - le petit mort - to the 8th House, sexual enjoyment and bodily pleasure sit altogether more comfortably in the 5th House than the 8th, which is known for its connection to actual death. Planets in the 1st House are strongly felt and expressed, for good or for bad. Sometimes, these planets help describe our manner or appearance: Venus in the 1st folks may be particularly appealing in a Venusian way, while Saturn in the 1st may create a Saturnine, buttoned-up demeanor. The 1st House sign and ruler are also connected with one's sense of health and vitality.The 11th is a very hopeful house: through the study of its ruler and the planets within it, we may understand our approach to friends, groups, and clubs, as well as our relationship to hope itself. And while the 11th House is ultimately a pleasant part of the chart, afflicted planets found here can deny lasting friendships, create painful experiences within group settings, or generate hopelessness. Of course, the House of Venus contains all the yummy things she loves. If you’ve ever studied astrology, you’ll already know that must be the Fifth House. It holds all acts of pleasure. Romance and sex absolutely. Plus vacations, playtime, and anything else fun. And so the 12 Houses provide the answer to your most common questions; knowing these can take your astrology to a whole new level of sophistication. The House of Mars is known as the Sixth House. It’s was a place of hard work, those who worked hard, or those who work for you. It also a house of all your duties and obligations, that presumably require effort to fulfill. Also the house of illness or health, since maintaining your own body is a kind of obligation, so that it can serve you in return. Basically, all this alludes to the notion that Mars is at his best when he has a job to do, something constructive he can use his energy for. The second House refers to your own money and possessions, what you value, your hidden talents, sense of self-worth, self-esteem (how you value yourself, instead of describing your personality as in the 1 st House). Possessions include anything a person owns (except the house/home which is ruled by the 4 th House): cars, furniture, clothing, moveable property, investments and securities, etc. The 2nd house specifies how you gain and spend your own money (as opposed to other's money in the 8th house), your attitude towards wealth and material possessions, and your potential for accumulating it/them.

The Ascendant (ASC), marks the point where the ecliptic crosses the eastern horizon. The Ascendant was considered the most important point in a chart because it determines your Rising Sign and all the other houses in the chart. As a reference, the ten planets include: The Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.The seventh House is sometimes referred to as the House of marriage, but it encompasses all one-to-one relationships: marriage, business partnerships, contracts, cooperative relationships, and also divorce, separation, quarrels, open enemies, and law suits. Fifth House: This house represents creativity, artistic expression, and children. The fifth house is associated with fun, pleasure, free time, dating, and romance. Since the fifth house represents recreation and the energy of fertility, this portion of your chart contributes to your health by supporting your vitality and creative self-expression.