Houses

 

Houses. An astrological Figure is divided into 12 arcs, equal either in terms of space or time. If in terms of space the arcs are of 30° each, one twelfth of the circle of 360°.

 

If these begin at 0° Aries they are known as the Signs of the Zodiac, from Aries to Pisces, and represent subdivisions of the orbit of the Earth round the Sun. As such they are Signs, not Houses. They bear no relation to the constellations after which they were anciently named, but are measured from the Spring equinoctial point.

 

If the subdivision begins at a given moment, and each represents the celestial arc that passes over the horizon in 2 hours - one twelfth of the time required for one complete rotation - the divisions are known as Houses.

 

In considering the divisions of the Figure as consisting of Signs, the Figure is deemed to stand still while one contemplates the actual motions of the planets in their orbits round the Sun, in a counter-clockwise direction. In considering the divisions as Houses, the observer deems the planets to stand still while the Figure (representing the Earth) rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, thus causing the planets to appear to move in a clockwise direction at a uniform rate, one after another passing from below the horizon to above it, and on through the Midheaven to the Descendant, just as the Sun rises and sets.

 

There are also Solar Houses - subdivisions of a Figure which, because the moment of inception, otherwise "birth-moment," is unknown - cast with the Sun's degree at Greenwich noon as the Rising Degree, or Ascendant. In the House-divisions so determined are placed the planets in the positions they tenanted at Greenwich noon on that particular date. Such a Figure is termed by some: a Heliarc Figure (q.v.).

 

In any event one should at all times bear in mind that the Signs are divisions of an annual cycle, beginning with the Spring Equinox; while the Houses arc divisions of a daily cycle of apparent motions resulting from the Earth's own daily rotation on its axis. Some modern authorities employ the term Heliarc in lieu of Sign as a subdivision of the Earth's annual orbit, and Geoarc in lieu of House as the subdivision of the orbit of a given point on the Earth's periphery round the axis - hence a subdivision of the Earth's daily rotation. Thus the influence of the Sign-positions, and the pattern of con- figurations resulting from the places the planets occupy therein, are a common experience of everyone born anywhere on the Earth's surface upon that day; but the point at which a personality enters into this cycle is an individual factor which determines the "angle of incidence" at which these cosmic impulses impinge upon his own consciousness.

 

Due to the inclination of the polar axis in its relationship to the Sun, the number of degrees which pass over the horizon in 2 hours varies with the time of year and the latitude of the place where the birth occurs. While the Midheaven-point moves reasonably steady from day to day throughout the year, the rising and setting-points vary, lengthening into the "long winter evenings" and shortening into the so-called "Daylight Saving" period of long days and short summer nights.

 

Before considering all the factors entering into the problem of House definition and terminology, remember that a House is a two- hour segment of a twenty-four-hour cycle, repeated each day with minor variants. The beginning of the First House is the degree that from a given point on the Earth's surface was rising above the eastern horizon at a given moment of time. This point is the Ascendant, just as the opposite point is the Descendant. Between them is the Mid- heaven, and the opposite point below the Earth, the so-called Immum Coeli, viz.: the Lowest Heaven. These are the Angles of the Figure. The Houses which fall away from these Angles are termed the Angular Houses. Note that as your horizon falls down, the planets - which are thus uncovered - rise up. The next Houses are termed the Succedent Houses, and these are midway between the Angles. The remaining four Houses, which precede the Angles, are termed the Cadent Houses. Numerically these are summed up as follows:

 

Angular: 1, 4, 7, 10 - the strongest positions in any Figure.

Succedent: 2, 5, 8, 11 - possibly of no less strength than the Angles, though they attract less public notice.

Cadent: 3, 6, 9, 12 - the weakest positions.

 

In a Birth Figure many planets in Cadent Houses may confer versatility. In Horary Astrology planets in these Houses are considered to produce delays. James Wilson says that a cadent planet seldom brings to pass any event of which it is the Significator, or if at all then it will be when all hope has vanished; also that when obtained it is either useless or detrimental to the querent's interests.

 

Other groupings are -

 

Individual or Life Houses: 1, 5, 9 - representing respectively the body, soul, and spirit or mind: the Trinity of Life.

 

Temporal or Possessive Houses: representing the temporal status of the native: 2. Possessions and property; 6. Comforts, such as food, clothing, health and servants; 10. Honor and credit, business or professional standing, position in society: the Trinity of Wealth.

 

Relative or Association Houses: having to do with human relationtionships. 3. Ties of Consanguinity - brothers, sisters, close relatives; 7. Ties of conjugality and legality, such as marriage and partnership; 11. Ties of friendship; close associates and advisers: the Trinity of Association.

 

Terminal or Psychic Houses: referring to eventualities, particularly to the termination of conditions in the native's life, and the psychological reaction to their contemplation. 4. The environment in each epoch of life, with particular reference to old age; 8. The influence of others upon his environment, particularly with respect to the effect upon him of their death, by way of inheritance and inherited responsibilities; 12. Confinement and other hindering influences which retard the fruition of the soul's yearnings: the Trinity of Psychism.

 

These esoteric realms have been compared to three degrees of death: 4th, of the mind; 8th, of the body; 12th, of the soul. Or, as taken from the Kabala, according to this table:

 

Personal: 1 The body. 5. The soul. 9. The spirit.

Possessive: 2. Wealth. 6. The Household. 10. Honor.

Relative: 3. Consanguine. 7. Conjugal. 11. Congenial.

Terminal: 4. The grave. 8. Paradise. 12. Heaven.

 

Another grouping, of modern origin and based largely on statistical research, is:

 

Self: 12th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

Companions: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th.

Public: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th.

 

Eastern Houses: Those in the Eastern half of the Figure, containing planets rising toward the Midheaven; viz.: the 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 12th, 11th, 10th. Of these, the three above the horizon - containing planets which, moving clockwise against the order of the Signs, are passing away from the horizon toward their culmination at the Midheaven - are considered to confer upon these planets added strength "by position."

 

Western Houses: Those in the Western half of the Figure - 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. Posited in these Houses, malefic planets are said to be strengthened and benefic planets weakened - particularly as regards their influence upon the native's health. An advisable distinction would be to classify the Twelve Houses as Eastern and Western and confine the Oriental Houses to the 12th, 11th and 10th, and the Occidental to the 4th, 5th, and 6th - those which culminate at either the oriental or occidental side of the meridian for which the Figure is cast.

 

Oriental Houses: Those which extend clockwise from the horizon to the meridian: The 12th, 11th, 10th, 6th, 5th and 4th.

Occidental Houses: Those which extend clockwise from the meridian to the horizon: The 9th, 8th, 7th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st.

 

Zodiacal House is a misnomer, for that would mean a Sign, a subdivision of an orbital revolution rather than of an axial rotation. The term Mundane House, once used to distinguish between two types of so-called Houses, is thus unnecessary, since properly termed all Houses arc mundane Houses.