Houses

Now that we understand how the zodiac and plants work together, it is now time to incorporate the final piece of the puzzle: Houses. Probably the least known aspect of astrology, Houses each depict a certain aspect of life. Similar to the zodiacs, there are 12 houses displayed on a birth chart that each represents a part of life. When reading a birth chart in the counterclockwise direction it symbolizes the cycle of life, from beginning to end.

An overview of houses:
* The first house is directly connected to individuals rising or ascendant sign, which means this is how you project yourself to others.
* The second house ties into how you view material surroundings like money and personal possessions
* The third house represents themes of community and how individuals connect to the network around them, often connected to early childhood.
* The fourth house also relates to relationships, but in a familial way. In particular, this house is tied to maternal relations and instincts.
* The fifth house is related to creativity and pleasure, what projects and endeavors make you happy? This house is the representation of childhood.
* The sixth house connects to your day-to-day routine and sense of responsibility.
* The seventh house, also known as descendent, is the opposite of your first house meaning it relates to how you see others, especially those you have close relationships with.
* The eighth house serves as an overview of your life and all the changes that come with it.
* The ninth house, sometimes nicknamed the university house, relates to expansion and perception, especially in relation to topics like philosophy, travel, and education.
* The tenth house represents how you will be represented and remembered by the world, this house connects to later adulthood.
* The eleventh house displays one’s humanitarian disputes and in today’s world now connects to technology.
* Finally, the twelfth house represents the psyche and subconscious feelings.

Now how does all of that connect to astrology? An individual’s birth chart shows the plants in relation to where they are in the sky at the time of your birth. Just like how the zodiacs determine parts of the sky, the circle of the houses is placed over the picture of the sky in a similar fashion. Astrologists look at where the planets are not only in relation to the zodiacs but also the houses. This means your personality is not ruled by all 12 houses I discussed, for instance, in my own birth chart I am only ruled by the first, third, seventh, and eighth houses. The houses simply serve as a deeper dive into the planet and zodiac connections of astrology, in order to really understand why you are who you are.