What Are The Houses And What Do They Mean?

Many of you that have an interest in astrology have heard the term 'house' at some stage. If you have been wondering what this means then read on! The explanation of this term is quite actually quite simple.

If you look at the empty birth chart to your left you will note that it is divided into twelve sections - these are what astrological houses are.

The outside circle represents the pathway of the Sun (the ecliptic), the divisions represent a way of dividing the birth map into sections for interpretative purposes. You will see these marked on the inner circle from 1 - 12 running counter-clockwise.

There are many ways to actually divide the sky into these twelve sections depending on the birth data available, preference of the astrologer and type of information required from the birth chart. Regardless, the chart is usually divided into the twelve sections as shown in the example.

The various sections of the chart have a number of meanings, depending on the type of astrology being used, ie, psychological, medical, mundane. I will have a look at the general meanings of these divisions this time and perhaps go into the other interpretations in more detail through more detailed articles at another time.