Just as there are 12 signs, there are 12 astrological houses that closely reflect these. The three most common house systems today are The Equal House System, The Koch System, and The Placidus System. The Equal House System is most frequently used and the one which students of astrology are advised to start with. It is one of the oldest and was favoured by the ancient Egyptians. It is also the simplest - the 12 houses being divided into 12 equal segments of 30 degrees.

The word 'house' suggests a place where one lives, and this is exactly what happens in a birthchart: the planets occupy different sections of the chart, showing the area where their energies will be at home and function best.

The houses of the birthchart are numbered in sequence from the first to the twelfth house, in an anticlockwise manner, with the first house starting on the far left of the chart - between 8 and 9 if viewed as a clock.

Ascendant

The ascendant is the beginning point of the first house, the house of the self.

What Do the Houses Represent?

The meanings of the houses have a close kinship with the 12 signs, for example, Cancer as the fourth sign places great value on the emotional bonds that link to the family, and the fourth house represents family roots and home origins.

Quadrants

The four sections of the birthchart divided by angles of 90 degrees.

Hemispheres

The birthchart can be split into two equal sections, each having its own distinctive characteristics.

Qualities

The houses in the birthchart can be grouped further, into Angular, Succedent and Cadent Houses.

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