The Houses

As the Signs begin with Aries at the Spring Equinox, the Houses begin with the Zodiacal position that is rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the event (birth). As the Signs are twelve in number, so are the Houses; and so the Zodiac is divided into twelve segments, each rising in sequence over the eastern horizon after the moment of event. Thus, the Houses are numbered according to that sequence of rising, First through Twelfth.

In addition, as the Signs arise from the tripartition of the four Seasons, the Houses arise from a tripartition of the four Quadrants of the heavens. These Quadrants are determined by whether that part of the sky is rising or setting, and whether it is above or below the horizon. A fuller discussion of how this works is provided in Appendix A. Quadrants have the same sort of significance for the personal cycle as the Seasons do for the natural cycle. Each Quadrant begins with an Angular House that is initiated at the horizon or meridian and introduces the essential quality of the Quadrant, a Succedent House that follows the Angular and provides the arena in which that quality is worked out, and a Cadent House that allows preparation for the following Quadrant.

The First Quadrant contains the arena of life that is of the self, and in the self's own subjective terms. In this realm of life, the self is the universe.

The First House is Angular and is the arena of the childhood. Here are found all the formative considerations and experiences that set the foundation and benchmarks for what we will become. Body type is determined here. Childhood memories of the sort that can be later seen to have had a determining force on the personality are found here. In general, this House represents the initial experiences that serves to define the self to itself. As a result, there develops here a sense of personal destiny that provides a force of guidance for all that one may become.

The Second House is Succedent and is the arena of personal resource. Here are found all the considerations that arise from the manifestation of self, especially that of self-worth. In society, this is seen as a matter of wealth that can be used to insure survival and to promote growth. Body maintenance and edification are addressed here. Money at hand, liquid assets and possessions, social standing that creates potential choice are all appropriate concerns. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms of self maintenance. As a result, there develops here the means by which possibilities and alternatives can be made available for future use.

The Third House is Cadent and is the arena of the immediate environment. Here are found all the considerations that allow the self to create a self-image. The skills and abilities necessary to thrive are developed here. Exploration within the self's customary and secure home area, and the manner of interacting with all that is found there are included here. Family and clan, habituation, communication, and conceptualization are all appropriate concerns. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which self-knowledge is achieved. As a result, there develops here the means by which the self is able to create a viable and sustainable functional autonomy.

The Second Quadrant contains the arena of life that is of that which is other than self, yet in the self's own subjective terms. In this realm of life, the self is the center of life.

The Fourth House is Angular and is the arena of the foundation of self. Here are found all the considerations that allow the self to establish a center or root from which interaction with other may proceed. These considerations are both inherent and acquired. Parents, the parental home and traditions, and the resultant subconscious foundation of subjective reality are the heritage; homestead and real estate provide security and sustenance for the lifespan and a legacy for future generations. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the self finds its own foundation. As a result, there develops here the means by which the self creates the stage from which it may express itself and so learn what it may become.

The Fifth House is Succedent and is the arena of the unfolding of the self. Here are found all the considerations that allow the self to exercise its skills and talents and so discover what is possible. All that has developed within the self is here granted the possibility of manifestation, from the generation of progeny to the creation of all manner of art. Here too is the venue in which life itself is invested with idealism; romance and sport are appropriate as expression of the potency of the self. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the self achieves creative self-expression. As a result, there develops here the means by which the self creates and thus is recreated in turn.

The Sixth House is Cadent and is the arena of the refinement of the self. Here are found all the considerations that allow the self to identify the extent of what it might become. The results of actions, decisions, and choices provide insight into the state of the self at any given point. As the self serves, so is it served; it reaps as it sows. Destiny is discerned as a matter of self control and modification, and the state of the self is discovered to be a matter over which the self must exercise regular concern. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the self strives for self-perfection. As a result, the self reaches the first stages of maturity as a complete individual.

The Third Quadrant contains the arena of life that is the objective manifestation of the self as an individual in the world at large. In this realm of life, the individual seeks to discover the reality of the universe in its own right.

The Seventh House is Angular and is the arena in which the individual addresses that which it is not. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to relate to other individuals. All of the possibilities inherent in the relationship between fundamentally equal beings are appropriate here, especially in the context of the requirements of the world at large upon such interactions. The individual gets its first lesson about what does and does not work in the universe of which it is a part. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual discovers its own objective nature by striving for equality with all that it is not. As a result, the individual prepares to participate in the enlarged scope of the objective universe.

The Eighth House is Succedent and is the arena in which the individual addresses the potency and scope of the objective realm. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to undertake unequal interactions. The resources and requirements of the world at large present the possibility of demands beyond the individual's capacities, thus requiring the individual to exceed and destroy its own limitations. Death and taxes, sex and regeneration, occult reality, the resources of others, larger individual entities, etc. are appropriate here. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual engages the need to exceed self-limitations. As a result, the individual is enabled to meet the world at large on its own terms.

The Ninth House is Cadent and is the arena in which the individual extends itself to explore the objective realm. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to comprehend the world at large in its own terms. The body of human knowledge, the various levels of human community, and the activities that engage social and cultural institutions are all appropriate here. The concerns of humanity at large and the potentials of the species are also found here. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual undertakes the reality of the world at large. As a result, the individual prepares to step into a second state of maturity as a citizen in the world.

The Fourth Quadrant contains the arena of life where the individual is certified to extend the self as an objective being. In this realm of life, the full power of the adult self is called forth.

The Tenth House is Angular and is the arena in which the individual takes up the full authority and responsibility of adulthood. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to accomplish and fulfill the particular destiny that is given or available. The individual here actuates the model provided by the dominant parent. The individual's public image, reputation, involvement in world affairs, and public legacy are appropriate here. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual actuates a public identity that enables one's full potential. As a result, the individual qualifies for acceptance into the community as a member of that larger whole.

The Eleventh House is Succedent and is the arena in which the individual joins with others and partakes of the potential of the collective reality. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to participate with others in cooperative groups. Shared ideals and purposes, social activities and requirements, the rewards and penalties of collective efforts, and the achievement of community potential is appropriate here. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual extends the agendas of the self into the realm of the body politic. As a result, the individual prepares to assume the responsibility for the accomplished role in the venue of the world at large.

The Twelfth House is Cadent and is the arena in which the individual undertakes the results of positions, actions and accomplishments taken in the world at large. Here are found all the considerations that allow the individual to complete the obligations created as an adult. As a member of the community, the individual is required to interact with the social and cultural institutions that represent the public, and address the consequences of such impact as was made in the larger venue. Most of the activity appropriate here is likely to be considered undesirable as it is usually the result of what was avoided in the previous arenas. In general, the House represents the processes and mechanisms by which the individual is required to balance and terminate processes of kharmic potential that have been left unfinished. As a result, the individual prepares to begin another cycle of unfoldment.

The Houses have been presented as a sequence of connected areas of the living experience. They are seen to represent the archetypes of development through which various levels of human reality are explored and mastered. The Houses are traditionally the most immediate and powerful of the astrological constructs, and so are most accessible to the individual. It is quite acceptable for any person to address his or her own chart from the perspective that the Houses are the dominant feature.