Bodies- houses in astrology

The basic structure of the birth chart is a spoked wheel, in which the Ascendant, or rising
sign forms a special point for the position of the start of the first house. The Ascendant is the
point at which the Earth intersects with interstellar space at your place of birth. As the Earth
rotates one revolution in twenty four hours, each of the twelve signs of the zodiac present
themselves on the horizon every two hours. Thus, the Ascendant forms two horizontal
spokes that represent the horizon of your place of birth relative to the time of day. If you
were born at night, the position of the Sun will be below this horizon. If you were born
during the day, it will be above. If you were born close to sunrise, your Sun will be close to
the Ascendant.

A chart wheel represents a still picture of the zodiac, the planets of our solar system, the
Moon, and the Earth's rotation. Within this wheel, a system of houses is set up. Each of
these houses represent and relate to certain conditions on Earth. By understanding the
influence of a particular planet in a particular house, another unique factor about you can be
revealed. The Ascendant, and thus the houses, move an average of one degree in every four
minutes, so this is why it is quite important to know your exact time of birth. In addition, the
Mid-heaven and Ascendant are calculated using the latitude and longitude of your place of
birth, so the exact place of birth is also important.

As the constellation shifts by 30 , or one-twelfth, every two hours, there are twelve
Ascendant signs presented. In providing twelve houses, each house tends to have a
similarity with a sign. Thus the first house has an Aries quality, the fourth, a Cancer quality,
and so on. The houses represent our environment and personal circumstance.

House 1
The first house depicts how you approach life, interface with the world, and sometimes your
appearance and bodily manner. Your self-esteem and self-awareness. This is the rising sign
house and the childhood house. Planets in the first house under stress by aspect to other
planets, will often suggest a karma with yourself or with experiences during childhood. This
can lead to negative behavior because of problems with self-esteem, appearance, or even
vanity. With self- awareness, a realization dawns of the need to process harsh experiences
and attitudes. This is one reason why people can be forced to mature quickly with planets in
the first house, especially for Saturn, which magnifies this effect. Beneficial planets provide
good looks, a sense of purpose and optimism.

House 2
The second house deals with personal resources, what you have, and how you deal with
possessions and money. It also deals with hidden talents and a sense of self-worth. Areas of
karma here are often associated with money, a sense of value, self-worth, love, or what is
truly important in this sojourn. With an obsessions of material things, the spiritual side is
often lacking. Some individuals appear agnostic to the world and do not appreciate the real
meaning of love. Beneficial placements of planets can indicate greater financial and inner
wealth.
House 3
The third house depicts your everyday doings and surroundings, short trips, speaking and
writing, early education, communications, neighbors and relatives. Areas of karma would be
those connected with the mind and understanding the expression of love. Planets in the third
house under extreme stress can indicate mental instability, or a psychological karma--if a
person is not strong enough to handle certain events. More commonly, communication
problems may exist with brothers, sisters, neighbors, or even teaching. It is either that such
people are not heard correctly, or they do not hear things the way they should. This extends
to relating things to other people that is wrong. Beneficial planetary placements can indicate
an ability to write, teach and communicate well. It can also indicate the ability to blend in
with ones immediate environment.

House 4
The fourth house indicates where you are coming from, your roots, heritage, and earliest
training. The placement of planets here signifies the kind of nurturing parent you were
exposed to, and your level of inner emotional security and self-image. Planets challengingly
placed in this house can show a karma with the mother, feelings, residence, and security.
The fourth house also signifies past lives, so this may be the reason why some people react
to situations without understanding why. This house is traditionally referred to as new
beginnings and end of life. Events surrounding the home, and nurturing instincts, is generally
a strong factor associated with this house.

House 5
The keywords for this house are self-expression, creativity, children, pets, amusements,
sports, risk taking, speculation with real estate and new enterprises. It has much to do with
personal interests. Challenging planets in the fifth house would be a karma with the family, a
creative endeavor, or enterprises. It may also signify a karma with the father, children, or
lack of them. Beneficial planets here could indicate a fun-loving nature, an enjoyment of
certain entertainment. On a higher level, a creative expression of kindness, humility and
mercy.

House 6
This house focuses on taking care of business, attending to the daily job, health, service and
necessities of life. Many planetary placements here may denote that work figures largely in
one's life, or concern for health, hygiene and fitness. Challenging planets in this house
epitomize a major karma concerning the type of work you are is involved in. Health issues
can result due to a lack of service. It may also affect your judgment, and analytical ability.
Beneficial planets here could indicate good health, and a reliable sense of duty to oneself
and of serving others.

House 7
This is the house of cooperation, and what you need and look for in a relationship, be it
marriage, business, or social (not with relatives). This house also deals with your attitudes to
peers, and dealings with colleagues or rivals. The sign on the cusp of this house may signify
the kind of partner you seek. Challenging planets in this house epitomize a major karma
concerning love and relationships. A lack of balance between yourself and partners indicates
another type of karma too--indicating a need to develop a natural balance with others and
embracing the oneness of the universe. Some of the problems that can manifest here
concerns the obsession to get married, but too often ending in divorce. A heavy karma could
indicate a persecution complex. Beneficial planets here generally indicates a greater ease
and balance with relationships, and also the ability to identify the true needs of others.

House 8
This is the house of transformation, regeneration, joint resources, and sex. It is also wills,
legacies, taxes, big business, other peoples possessions and crime. Your personal sacrifices--
and others for you. Although it is sometimes referred to as the house of death, it has more
to do with transformation, or a focus on such things. Challenging planets in this house may
show a major lesson in life concerning sensitivity, deep emotions, love, sex, intimacy and the
ability to transform, or change certain aspects of your life. There may be obsessions with
death or problems dealing with others dying. If Saturn is located here, it is easy for such
people to be celibate. Beneficial planets here can indicate an ability to manage and make
good use of shared resources. On a higher level it denotes a universal connection with
others.

House 9
This is the house of aspiration. It can involve further education, long journeys, your
philosophy of life, religion, morals, and societal law. It can also denote foreign people and
places. Challenging planets here may show a karma concerning your philosophy, freedom,
religion, justice, travel or lack of it. A person can be anchored to their work, job, family,
home and responsibilities. In extreme cases, there is a need to interfere with the lives of
others, by expressing dogmatic views. Beneficial planets here generally indicates a desire to
seek further truths, and share such knowledge that can assist others.

House 10
This is the house of honor, authority and career. It has much to do with the external aspects
of life, social status and personal achievements. Some Astrologer's consider that this house
reflects the father influence. Challenging planets in the tenth house would epitomize a karma
with career, authority, social status, and ambition. People who rise to highly recognized
positions in the public eye, often have strong planets in the tenth house. The more beneficial
placements allow for a greater chance for sustained success.

House 11
This is the house of social consciousness. Traditionally it is associated with social groups and
friends, clubs and societies. For some, it has an intellectual focus, particularly with a group.
Challenging planets in the tenth house would epitomize a karma concerning groups, friends,
goals, organizations and general direction in life. This may be expressed as being closed
minded and "cliquey" with groups. There can also be a lack of humanity. Beneficial planets
here generally indicates an openness to embrace others into the fold, and a desire to elevate
the consciousness of others.
House 12
This is the house of the subconscious, where we have the ability to get in touch with higher
vibrations of the universe. It is traditionally the house of self-undoing, self sacrifice and
seclusion. Some Astrologer's consider this house to represent karmic service--for a prior life
atonement. Challenging planets here would epitomize a karma with oneself, in being afraid
of the unknown. Artificial states of consciousness, and prone to drug addiction as a means of
escape. It is a very emotional karma, indicating self-destruction and hidden events, that can
lead to isolation in an institution, hospital, or monastery. Hidden events are those that are
not readily visible, effecting your life in the long term, due to the absence of making an
earlier decision or commitment. Beneficial planets here can provide natural gifts in psychic
abilities and compassion for the world. Also, the ultimate understanding of oneness with
humanity and the source.