1.
The First House
House of Self
Self
Marked by the
Ascendant. Self Awareness. Self
Discovery Persona The behavior, temperament,
appearance, health that is projected. House of the
ego and physical self. Challenge is to develop unique
identity and present it to the
world. Being.
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The First House is commonly
referred to as the
House of Self.
The cusp of the First House is the home of the Ascendant, the Sign which
was rising on the eastern horizon at the precise moment of one's birth. By
thinking of this in terms of sunrise and new beginnings, one begins to
grasp the concepts of the First House. The new beginnings here are
centered around the individual: the self and the attendant voyage of
discovery which defines a person. Who are you? What will you become? How
do you realize your best self? The First House speaks to the realization
of one's ultimate potential. This process of becoming a unique individual
is one of the greatest contributions we make to the world in which we
live. The distinct qualities which we possess are often referred to as
personality. The First House addresses the individual, his or her
comportment and approach to life. In other words, the sum total of one's
being. This is the package we give to the world. The packaging itself, or
our outer being, is also governed by the First House -- think the physical
body and the way in which we present ourselves, and in particular, the
head and face.
Early childhood is also ruled by the First House. Everything from our
earliest steps to our view of the emerging world is considered here. How
will we develop? What is our view on life? It all begins at the beginning
(the First House) and serves to shape us for all time. In sum, the First
House speaks to the person we are becoming and will become, both
internally and externally. It addresses our personality and presentation
to the world, our essential qualities, approach to life, demeanor and
basic sensibilities. The inner self and outer body are what the First
House is all about.
The First House is ruled by
the Sign Aries and the Planet Mars.
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2. The Second House
House of Possessions
Possessions
Personal
Resources Values. Skills. Possessions Your
material side. Security, gains, losses, finances. House
of property & financial matters. How generate
resources. Challenge is to define and refine personal
values, inner and outer talents and
resources. Having.
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The Second House is commonly referred to as the
House of Possessions
. While this speaks
to that which we own, it's not limited simply to tangible things. We own
our feelings and emotions, as well as our inner selves, abilities, needs
and wants. When we own up to something, we are in fact claiming ownership
of our greatest possession, our self.
Using our possessions, including material goods, to maximum advantage is
also within the realm of the Second House. Our possessions should enhance
our lives and those of others in addition to fostering a general sense of
well-being. Specific possessions covered by the Second House include
earned income and our ability to influence it, investments and moveable
property (cars, clothing, jewelry and the like). Debt is also part of the
equation here, since we own the responsibility to pay our bills. How we
view money, the acquisition of wealth (and debt), financial reversals,
savings, budgeting and financial status are all ruled by the Second House.
For those of us who believe that money will set us free, it's interesting
to note that this maxim finds a home in the Second House. Personal
freedoms as established by financial capability and sensibility are
addressed within this House. To a great extent, our possessions and what
we do with them help to define us as viable human beings. Taking it a step
further, will these material goods help us gain social standing,
recognition, friendship and love? Used properly, they very well might.
Therefore, the goal implicit in one's possessions could be defined as the
ability to use those possessions honestly and to our best advantage and
for the greater good.
The Second House is ruled by the
Sign Taurus and the Planet Venus.
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3. The Third House
House of Communication
Communication & Siblings
Communication. Mental
Activity. Learning. Immediate environment and day-to-day
activity Mental aptitudes Early childhood &
siblings. Short journeys. Early education. Challenge
is to organize experiences to become unique and then to
present them to others. Informing.
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The Third House is commonly referred to as the
House
of Communication
. In this House, much of the communication is going on between the
individual and those he or she holds close: brothers and sisters, as well
as neighbors. While communication here can be both written and verbal, it
also has a conscious quality to it. Think about kindred spirits and mental
connections. This serves to highlight the role of intelligence within the
Third House.
Intelligence, as viewed in this realm, is the analytical ability one
possesses within his or her environment, specifically a basic grasp of
things and a practical sensibility. We use this intelligence to help us
work effectively within our world and with those in it. The Third House
reminds us that it's okay to use our conscious skills, as well as a more
reflective intelligence, in order to make our way. A symbiotic
relationship with those we hold close is also part of the plan. Let's not
forget that our minds are powerful, quick and dexterous. Some things will
be well-thought out, others nearly automatic. Maximizing our sum potential
is the key.
Early education, effectively teaching us how to think and communicate, is
also covered by the Third House, as are short trips. Again, the proximate
nature of travel speaks to the intimate nature of the Third House: those
we know well, in our environment, keeping that environment tight.
Harnessing our intelligence and sharing it effectively with others is the
essence of the Third House. How do we best state our case with others,
often those we love the most? Will our actions be true to our environment,
and our planet, for all time? This brings to the fore emerging forms of
intelligence-gathering, such as computers. Will they make or break
communication as we know it? The questions posed by the Third House can be
answered by listening to that House: think, process, share.
The Third House is ruled by the
Sign Gemini and the Planet Mercury.
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4. The Fourth House
House of Family and Home
Home & Roots
Home and
Hearth. Inner World. Inner security. Domestic
affairs. Family life. Parental influence. The
past. Childhood. Deep rooted influences. Private
thoughts. Challenge is to develop emotional closeness, feel
secure, face
past. Nurturing.
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The Fourth House is commonly referred to as the
House of Home
. When we think of home, we
think of that place where we put down our roots. We lay our foundation and
plant ourselves firmly into the Earth, as it were. One day, we will return
to that very same Earth. The Fourth House brings things full circle by
also addressing old age, endings and our final resting place. Much of the
emphasis of the Fourth House, however, is on the concept of home. By
laying down roots, we make a home for ourselves, or more specifically, the
self. The self is now centered, grounded, one and at peace with the Earth.
We seek to come home both physically and psychically, for ourselves and
for those we love. By creating home, we create a meeting place, a
sanctuary, a sacred place for ourselves and for others.
In our home, we integrate the self with all that has come before us and
helped to shape what we are today. We create a domestic space which
comforts and nurtures us and serves to keep safe those we love. Also
important here are family history, cultural and societal norms, and ways
of being. All of these are ruled by the Fourth House, as are our ancestry,
roots and heritage. These qualities are brought 'home' through us and
integrated into the place we call home. Helping to create the home
we make are our parents, for it is they who greatly nurture and shape our
being. Therefore, the Fourth House can also be thought of as the
House of the Mother, the
Parent or the Nurturer.
Looking at things from a strictly tangible point of view, we can see that
the Fourth House also encompasses physical structures (houses) and real
estate. The Fourth House represents family, history and traditions. All of
these contribute to the process of becoming a true, actualized and
individualized self. This is how we come home.
The Fourth House is ruled by the Sign Cancer and the Moon.
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5. The Fifth House
House of Pleasure
Creativity & Children
Creative
expressions of self. Children Love
affairs. Procreation. Luck and
speculation. Romance. Enthusiasm. Motivation. Games. Feel
special. Fun, Excitement. Challenge is to develop
creativity and self-esteem and to find joy in
living. Expressing.
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The Fifth House is commonly
referred to as the
House of Pleasure.
Oftentimes, pleasure is the result of a creative act. The simple act of
creating is, essentially, giving of oneself and making something -- making
another? Yes, the Fifth House does speak to procreation and children, but
it also addresses the creation of art and culture. The creative life is
one from which we can derive much personal pleasure and self-satisfaction.
Do I like this? Does it make me feel good? Does it bring me pleasure? The
answers therein are the domain of the Fifth House.
Taking this pleasure principle a step further, one can give it a more
human face, even two faces. Romance and romantic affairs, both emotional
pleasures, are within the realm of the Fifth House. Emotional satisfaction
can be gained in many ways, and yet another way addressed by this House is
gambling. While this implies a financial risk, it can also be viewed as
the willingness to take a risk -- on love, with money or in life. A gut
risk in the hopes of a pleasurable outcome is how the Fifth House sees it.
This House is actually quite rich with pleasures since it also lords over
fun, games and hobbies. Life is more than just being or doing, it also
includes finding -- finding the pleasure in the acts in which we engage.
Children as a source of pleasure are also important in the Fifth House.
This brings us back to creativity, since through our children, we create
an extension of ourselves and then watch it grow. Giving our children all
the good we had (and have), and then some, is certainly a pleasurable
pursuit. How will this manifest itself? What form of pleasure and
emotional release is best for our children? Music, dance, theater, art,
science, literature -- these fancies are for them and for us. Play for the
purpose of emotional enrichment and pure pleasure is what the Fifth House
is all about.
The Fifth House is ruled by the
Sign Leo and the Sun.
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6. The Sixth House
House of Health
Service & Health
Daily Life.
Health. Work and job. Self
Improvement. Employer/Employees Routine Hygiene Hard
work. Service to others Material learning. Habit
patterns. Pets. Food and Diet. Challenge is to be
competent, efficient, in physical body and in one's work
day. Analyzing.
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he Sixth House is commonly
referred to as the
House of Health
. Implicit in
maintaining good health is the ability to cope in the face of adversity,
and this theme rings truest in the Sixth House. As human beings, we
naturally have shortcomings. What will we do with them? How will we react
in the face of a personal crisis? Crises, illnesses and reversals of
fortune are all part of our Earthly trek. How we confront these situations
and deal with the lessons they invariably teach us helps to define the
person we become.
Our fears may hold us back, but if we can meet them head-on and come out
stronger on the other side, we may learn the valuable lesson of service or
what our life's work should be. Work and service are central to the Sixth
House. The focus here is on employment (employers and employees),
training, those who serve us (along with those we serve) and those who
depend on us. Keeping ourselves strong throughout these efforts is also
important here, which is why this House further focuses on health (good
and bad), diet, fitness and hygiene.
Essential to the work we do in life is the work we do on our self. Duty,
responsibility and personal growth all contribute to the creation of a
fully-realized being. We work for others as well as for ourselves; we are
at service to those who need us, including our own being. There will be
times when crises of health or faith will stand in the way of our best
self. At those times, we must endeavor to heal ourselves (again, the focus
of this House is on health) so that we can return to the work of realizing
our sum potential, of serving our world.
The Sixth House also addresses the daily dailiness of life: what will I
wear today? Do I need a haircut? Has the dog been fed? These simple
matters keep our engines humming and enable us to do the more important
work of our choosing. It's a patchwork quilt: the ability to serve others
in health and through work which is both valuable and fulfilling.
The Sixth House is ruled by the
Sign Virgo and the Planet Mercury.
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7. The Seventh House
House of Partnerships
Marriage & Partnership
Awareness of
Others. Relationships. Marriage partner. Business
partners. Contracts. Joint endeavors. Significant
Others. Social concerns and activities related to
others. Attitudes of intimacy. Friends and
public. Challenge is develop committed relationships with
others.
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The Seventh House is
commonly referred to as the
House of Partnership.
With this House, we see a shift away from the self toward another -- a
partner. By cooperating with and relating to another we unite for the
purpose of achieving something. Purpose is important to the Seventh House
-- the act of accomplishing something great or small for the self, the
partnership and even society as a whole. In uniting with another, we also
become a more valuable member of our world: we make a contribution, one
small cog in the wheel of life. We have purpose. Cooperation and
partnership help to expedite our purpose in life.
Through a partnership, we fill out our essential being. Suddenly, we see
ourselves in context. Through a partnership in which we work, play, love
and/or create, we are fully formed and completed. The other half helps to
make us whole. Ultimately, how we relate to others will help to define the
success we have as a human being and as a member of humankind.
The Seventh House shows us that partnerships can take many forms:
marriage, business relationships, contracts, legalities, negotiations and
agreements. We will cooperate to a greater or lesser extent in these
varied partnerships. The quality of that cooperation, in essence how we
relate to the other, is key to the Seventh House. Why do we choose this
partnership? Is it for love or money? Practical reasons? Social
considerations? There are many reasons for uniting with another. We may
choose to fill voids we see in ourselves. We may simply want the company
and companionship of another. The partnerships we form say a great deal
about ourselves and also serve to teach us much. This House wants us to
know that the quality of our partnerships will enhance our lives, make
them fuller, more special and better for everyone.
Tensions within a partnership also serve to teach us lessons. For this
reason, the Seventh House also focuses on the darker side of our unions.
Divorce, lawsuits and treaties all fall within this House. At its worst, a
partnership may create enemies -- and on a more global scale, these rifts
can deteriorate into war. It is our reaction to this adversity which will
shape the partnerships yet to come.
The Seventh House is ruled by the
Sign Libra and the Planet Venus.
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8. The Eighth House
House of Sex
Death & Rebirth
Depth
interactions. Sharing. Letting go. Shared
resources. Self-Mastery. Life/Death
attitude. Possessions of
others. Sex/Regeneration. Wills & legacies. House
of change. The esoteric. Challenge is to face deep
psyche and eventually nourish new growth Letting
go.
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The Eighth House is commonly
referred to as the
House of Sex.
This House delves into relationships - interactions with another and how
certain aspects of those interactions can take on a more communal nature.
It speaks to what our relationships will bring us and how we can get the
most out of them.
Returning to this House's emphasis on sex, it's important to note that the
French refer to an orgasm as 'le petit mort' or 'the little death.' When
we reach that exalted state of communion, we leave a little of ourselves
behind - die a small death. One can also choose to view this as growth, a
new beginning, the rebirth of the soul or a gain for the partnership. The
Eighth House is an equal-opportunity House, placing sex, death and rebirth
on the same level playing field and acknowledging the viability and
importance of all three.
Shared resources also fall within the Eighth House: inheritance, alimony,
taxes, insurance, support from another. Financial support as well as
spiritual, emotional and physical support are addressed by this House.
While our relationships share many of the aforementioned things, they also
have their own dynamics and grow from within (we grow through our
sexuality as well as through other more tangible means). That said, much
as our relationships are expansive, they also have certain constraints,
many which are placed on them by society. Again, taxes, alimony and the
joint nature of assets come to mind. Yes, with every opportunity we have,
we may face a restriction along with it. Once again, death and rebirth.
In keeping with the transforming nature of this House, rituals are
highlighted. Every group has its own way of peering in and looking deep
into the soul and the past, if only to get a sense of what we truly are.
What quality will our rituals take on? Exalted states or metamorphoses?
What secrets do we keep and why? How we manage our interactions,
relationships and rituals is important to the Eighth House -- will we be
honest, effective and responsible? Will the riches generated by our
relationships benefit the group (company, humankind) as a whole? Our
legacies are key to this House: how we conduct ourselves now, and how that
will play out for all time.
The Eighth House is ruled by the
Sign Scorpio and the Planets Mars and Pluto.
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9. The Ninth House
House of Philosophy
Mental Exploration
Awareness of the
Cosmos. Religion. Law. Travel &
Quests. Journeys Expanded
horizons Philosophy. Publishing. Higher
learning. Foreign countries. Higher Mind. Challenge
is to broaden the self and realize ones highest
potential. Expanding.
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The Ninth House is commonly
referred to as the House of
Philosophy. In keeping with that theme, it's our search for meaning
which is the focal point here. Whether it's philosophy or psychology, the
Ninth House reminds us that we are on a voyage of discovery. Along that
road, we will come face-to-face with our ideals and further shape the
ethics by which we live. Another approach to clearer meaning and
understanding of that which we see, and more importantly, that which we do
not see, is through religion. Understanding and accepting that which is
greater than us and our world is key to the Ninth House. How members of a
society relate, and knowing and respecting the laws by which they live,
are core tenets of the Ninth House.
The way in which we expand our inner and outer lives is also addressed by
the Ninth House. Travel and interaction with other peoples and cultures
are a means to this end. Our dreams, those which illustrate our past as
well as those which speak to future events, also help to mold our being
and our relationships.
Additionally, the Ninth House addresses publishing and multinational
ventures such as import/export businesses. This House also has a
multigenerational view, taking into account grandchildren, as well as
in-laws. At the end of the day, however, the Ninth House is best described
as philosophically inclined in the search for meaning and truth.
The Ninth House is ruled by the
Sign Sagittarius and the Planet Jupiter.
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10. The Tenth House
House of Social Status
Career
Vocational
Purpose. Taking Power. Career. Outer
World. Contributing to
society. Accomplishments. Reputation. Status. Fame
(or lack of). Worldly standing. Your
calling/future. Challenge is to earn respect and
recognition in the world and contribute to
society. Structuring.
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The Tenth House is commonly referred to as the
House of Social Status. It is about the place we have attained in
our social (or work/career) grouping and in society as a whole. Think
status, the authority it conveys, and consequently, the role we take in
our community. It also speaks to any promotions we receive, any fame we
may have or will come to have and the types of business and social
activities in which we partake. With respect to achievement, this House
focuses on how we see ourselves and how the community as a whole sees us
(and our efforts). Through this House, we work on manifesting ourselves.
Vocation is important in the Tenth House. What role will we choose and how
will we best fill it? How much do we want to achieve? Career, professional
goals, ambition and motivation all come into play here. In a more
practical context, employers and their rules are covered here, as are any
other organizations (specifically the government) which have the ability
to rule over us. Along with our life's work comes the challenge of ruling
over others, although there will generally be someone who lords over us.
The question of how we will manage these gifts, and the status that comes
along with them, is important to this House. Will we use our power to
truly help society, or will we be willful and reckless? Not all of us are
cut out for grand scale social success or equipped to help society
significantly. It's also worth noting that many of our successes are
achieved with the aid of society, not in a vacuum.
The relationship of the individual to a group and to society is also
highlighted in the Tenth House. To improve things and to make an impact,
we must feel a real kinship to the cause; a fervent resolve to change
things is necessary. In this way, we will achieve that social status which
is truly worthwhile. Lastly, in keeping with its focus on rulers, the
Tenth House addresses the father, who is generally the more authoritarian
parent.
The Tenth House is ruled by the
Sign Capricorn and the Planet Saturn.
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11.
The Eleventh House
House of Friendships
Friends & Groups
Collective
groups. Group creativity. Friends. Hopes &
wishes. Teams. Clubs. Organizations. Acquaintances
and contacts. Alliance/networking. Challenge is to
establish relationship with group consciousness and contribute
your gifts to the
community. Reforming.
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The Eleventh House is
commonly referred to as the House
of Friends. Through our friends, we find strength in numbers - we
see the power of the collective, the group. Groups addressed by this House
include clubs, organizations, social groups, networking organizations and
professional associations. The focus here is on the activities we
undertake within these groups, how we make a difference and as a result,
how we grow and actualize our true selves. Further, it's the group, by
virtue of its collective strength, which helps to define what we as
individuals will do.
The Eleventh House also speaks to destiny - in simple terms, our hopes and
dreams, what we desire and what we want to achieve. Our creative vision is
highlighted, the simple act of working toward our maximal selves. The
power of collective creation, as well as the creative sparks generated by
the group, are also important to this House. By banding together, we can
create so much more.
In joining with our friends, we not only accomplish a great deal, but we
can also enjoy the fruits of our labor. The Eleventh House also addresses
the kind of friend we are: what do we do for others? How do we view our
friends? How do they view us? It is our basic character which, to a great
extent, defines the friends and groups we choose.
Oftentimes, we work with our friends toward a greater good and in the hope
of improving society. This is our philanthropic side coming to the fore,
the ability to selflessly and eagerly help others. It is also our humanity
manifesting itself most effectively. At times, we may upset the proverbial
apple cart, but the sum total of our efforts should be to look at the end
result. If that's good, then the process of getting there, for better or
for worse, is worthwhile. Lastly, the Eleventh House also governs
stepchildren, foster children and adopted children.
The Eleventh House is ruled
by the Sign Aquarius and the Planets Saturn and Uranus.
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12. The Twelfth House
House of Subconscious
Karma & Spiritual Path
Transcendence. Spiritual
Life. Solitude. Search for unity and
divinity. Subconscious mind. Hidden resources. Hidden
problems. Social responsibility House of
secrets. Self undoing. Sacrifice. Challenge is
explore inward, discern, let go, and
grow. Transcending.
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The Twelfth House is
commonly referred to as the House
of the Unconscious. The unconscious state can help engender our
successes, as well as assist us in coping with our failures. This House
might more aptly be called the
House of Reckoning, since it is in the Twelfth that we review what
we have been (and done) and decide where we go from there. Along with
these unconscious musings, we also deliberate on strengths and weaknesses
which are hidden from public view. Our subconscious works hard on our
behalf, trying to make sense of our lives. This shadow play is slow and
long, and often fraught with fear and pain. It is in this context that we
are confronted with our sorrows, suffering and the secrets we keep from
ourselves and from others. Ultimately, we are also confronted with our
fate: karma. Here we meet up with the results of everything we have done.
This further puts the focus on repressed agendas and restraint. What have
we wrought with in our lives? This is a key question of the Twelfth House,
and we will deal with it both consciously and unconsciously. Will the
answers compel us to be transformed or reborn? This is another cornerstone
of the Twelfth House -- the manner in which we move forward.
We can learn much from the unconscious. In its most noble manifestation,
we will be prompted to be charitable. If we learn our lessons, both past
and present, we are also better equipped to move forward. The Twelfth
House compels us to seek closure in a spiritual way as an aid to positive
growth.
The last House of the zodiac also recognizes that we can feel bound in
life - stuck and confined. For this reason, this House rules jails,
hospitals, institutions, asylums and any space that inhibits freedom. More
gloominess in the Twelfth comes in the form of danger, secret enemies and
clandestine affairs. Beware!
While some may decry the Twelfth House as the garbage bin of the zodiac,
it's really an unfair term. Ultimately, this House is the champion of
positive transformations. It is here that we stand on the precipice and
determine how we will proceed. By visiting the unconscious and meeting
with the past, we begin to glean what the future will bring.
The Twelfth House is ruled by the
Sign Pisces and the Planets Jupiter and Neptune.
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