My questions are about planets in houses.

I understand that the sign on the cusp of the house rules the house. But what about the other sign in that house? I’m confused. What if most of that sign falls into the house prior to the one it rules?

Growing up as a kid my mom had my chart done and it was done in Koch calculation. Which had an interception and also put my Virgo stellium in my 9th and I never related to a lot of what I read about me and astrology until a friend turned me on to astro. com 6-7 years ago and my chart came back with everything in my 8th, Placidus calculation, and THAT, THAT I could totally relate to.

So… what is my 8th house? Leo or Virgo? Or both? And what about that 8th house stellium opposing my Pisces Chiron. But again… From what I’ve read about Chiron and from what I have lived, it makes sense that opposition is in my 2nd rather than 3rd even if Pisces rules the 3rd house.

So I have this “big!” opposition but is it 2nd/8th where the planets actually “sit” or 3rd/9th where their rulers are ? And yet the planets themselves are many degrees away from those rulers. But I’m curious to know more about how such things…such energies…work when it’s not so clear-cut…or is it?

JoAnna

First off, the simple answer: yes, planets ‘work’ in the houses they are in, no matter where they fall in that house. This is more important, in terms of immediate impact, than house rulerships. The planet ruling the sign of the cusp rules the house; the second sign involves a secondary ruler, but it’s not as powerful. I usually don’t factor the secondary ruler, because I’m more interested in dispositors, which tell you where the energy of the planet/aspect will spill. I know I say this a lot, but you have to think of the story the planet is telling you. Let’s say a planet is in the late degrees of a sign, but the early degrees of a house. That planet knows a lot about the sign, and has a more developed expression of it, but the planet doesn’t know a lot about the house it’s in–it’s still figuring out that house, it’s unfamiliar with it. This will be even more clear if you follow progressions, which trace the way planets develop.

JoAnna, Placidus

House rulerships come into their own when we want to see where the effect of a natal aspect, transit, or progression will play out. Take, for example, your Venus/Chiron opposition via the Placidus system. The opposition is in 2/8 (which is made slightly stronger because Venus is the natural ruler of the 2nd house, even though you have Aquarius there). The conflict between Venus and Chiron will be about appreciating yourself, and developing your inner resources and self-worth (2nd) and learning show to share them with others (8th). And because Venus rules both your fifth and tenth houses, this conflict will effect both your creative self-expression (5th) and your career/place in the world/external status (10th). The more you resolve this opposition, the more expressive and genuine you will be in both areas. More energy will be freed up for them.

We get even more of the ’story’ of this aspect (hang in there), when we look at the dispositor of Venus, Mercury in the 9th. Mercury is the dispositor for your entire stellium, giving the stellium a 9th/3rd house influence. The dispositor of a planet acts as a conduit for the energy of that planet. So the Venus conflict (actually the whole stellium, but we’ll stick to Venus), resolved, will directly give a ‘boost’ to Mercury, which will light up the ninth a bit more brightly. It helps that Mercury is in a house it rules (Virgo rules the 9th here). Planets are enhanced when they’re in the houses they rule, no matter what the sign is. Via Placidus, the Sun is also in the house it rules (Leo ruling the 8th), and made stronger by the fact that Pluto is the natural ruler of the eighth. It’s also emphasized because Mars, conjunct the MC, is disposited by Venus. Career/image issues will fuel the Venus/Chiron opposition. Either way, your ‘outer’ self, your external image, is directly effected by the Venus/Chiron opposition.

Don’t worry about not getting this right away. It takes practice, but it’s worthwhile, because you will better understand how aspects will affect you, which will allow you to interact with them more effectively. The aspects won’t seem so random and confusing.

As for the Koch or Placidus question: this is an astrologer’s preference. Over time, we get a ‘feel’ for different house systems. A lot of times, there isn’t much difference between Koch and Placidus charts. Yours is one of the most pronounced differences I’ve seen. I use Placidus, because it seems to give me a picture of how the person experiences him or herself from the inside, along with the way those planetary energies are processed internally. I’ve heard that Koch is better for predictive work, or for a more objective view of the chart, but I haven’t worked with it enough to say for sure. Just as an exercise, you might want to ask your friends if they think you’re more ninth/third house or more 2nd/eighth oriented. You may be surprised.

JoAnna, Koch house system

Cookbook descriptions can be way off the mark, depending on who writes them. The Koch chart here gives a different perspective on the same phenomenae. Third/ninth conflicts are about an inability to put higher realms of thought and/or philosophy into place in everyday life. We’re always failing ourselves, not living up to our own standards, which can be very painful to our self-esteem. Chiron in the third effects our ability to think clearly and cramps our ability to know and speak our truth. This conflict would filter, via Venus, through the Mercury and the Mars, the same as in Placidus. The interception shown in Koch is actually the key here. The Sun in Koch rules this intercepted sign, Leo. Anything that effects the Sun (Venus, Pluto, Uranus) would cause deep rumblings in the eighth house, particularly as the Sun is conjunct Pluto, the natural ruler. And here, the eighth house Uranus comes into play, as it rules the intercepted sign Aquarius in the second. It’s also the dispositor of Saturn, buried in that intercepted sign in house 2. So, though the discussion would probably be about the way the second house Saturn makes a difficult quincunx to Venus (natural ruler of the 2nd), we still get the 2nd/8th self-esteem issues. You see how Placidus can be a more direct route.

Hope I haven’t thoroughly confused you here. Keep studying. Astrology is a perfect vehicle for someone with a third house Jupiter exactly square the nodes.

You know that drop-down of house systems (Placidus, Koch, Equal House) you see in your astrology software but never think about much? For horary astrology, the one I was taught to select is called Regiomontanus, named for a German mathematician and astrologer born June 6, 1436, in Bavaria. Not that he was born Regiomontanus: that’s a Latinization of part of his German name, Johannes Mueller von Koenigsberg.

What little I know of him, you can learn too from Wikipedia. You’ll learn that he lived to about age 40, and became famous in his lifetime for his extensive writings. During his life, he published maybe 1/4 of what he hoped to write. But his ephemerides were widely used – even by Christopher Columbus, some 28 years after Regiomontanus’ death, to predict a lunar eclipse and use that knowledge to save his skin.

I must admit, trying to understand the rationales behind this or that house system – great circles, right ascensions, prime meridians – leaves my head befuddled. Deborah Houlding has written a quite elaborate and detailed article about house systems which you can read on her website, Skyscript.co.uk if you’re very curious. 

Meanwhile, I like birthdays and will happily observe that of a long-gone scholar, born 572 years ago today, whose efforts influence my own. Thanks, Herr Mueller von Koenigsberg!

Signification of Houses

Concerning the body, the significations of each house generally correspond to the significations of the equivalent sign of the zodiac in seriatim i.e. whenever we want to examine the condition of any part of the body, the concerned house and the same number of sign should both be examined. Afflictions to houses likewise cause diseases of the connected parts.There are 12 houses in the 360 round sky,each house has 30′-00.Each house express some meanings,those find after reading more and more charts.

We can find the image of person after seeing physical works of person,every work says about the person,he belongs to house of astrology.

First House (Ascendant)

Selling through personal contact, capitalizing on the personality, physical activity, costumer, actor, store clerk, athlete, dancer, physical therapist, anthropologist, receptionist, model, gymnast, laborer, make-up artist. Related to occupations in which the physical body assumes importance, either for endurance, stamina, strength, or the personal appearance.Represents the person, his innate nature and state of health, vitality, longevity, happiness, personality, appearance, prosperity, general disposition in life, reputation and status, desires and their fulfillment and the body parts – complexion, head (cranium and forehead) and brain, hair, pituitary glands, etc. For example, weakness of the first house and/or afflictions to the first house or its lord result in a sickly constitution, causing vulnerability to headache, mental tension, paralysis, giddiness, wounds, scars, erratic activity of endocrine glands, derangement, brain fever, stupidity, nose bleeding, etc. A strong Sun and Mars, as significators for vitality and energy respectively, help as a protective cover.
Second house,the house of physical wealth

Financial transactions, banking, caretaker of possessions, appraiser, financial broker, cash accounting clerk, bank teller, claims adjuster, bondsmen, securities agent, payroll clerk, buyer, auctioneer. Activities concerned with people’s finances and possessions.
Represents wealth, family, livelihood, nourishment, male child, higher education, professional position, spouse, second marriage, continuance of married life, possession of precious stones and metals, money in cash, earning capacity, financial status, fortune, prosperity, movable properties, speech, vision and the body parts – face and its organs (nose, throat, mouth, tongue, teeth and eyes, especially the right one), facial bones, upper neck and its bones, gullet, larynx, cerebellum, trachea, cervical region and cervical bones, tonsils, etc. For example, weakness of the second house and/or afflictions to the second house or its lord cause vulnerability to poor digestion, disorders of speech, throat, cervical, gums, eyes, teeth, etc., and diseases mainly arising out of a weak venous system. A strong Mercury, as a significator of speech, helps as a protective cover.

Third house is the house of communication

Writing, traveling, transportation, mail order, newspapers, postal worker, draftsman, mechanic, telephone operator, bookkeeper, stenographer, electrician, architect, accountant, copywriter, bus or taxi driver, speech therapist. Those who write a great deal, who draw, draft or place anything on paper. Media associated with this area are study, education, talking and conversation, phoning, newspapers, periodicals, or mental activity. Mail, garages, local transportation, cars, and travel.Represents younger brothers or sisters, neighbors, courage, physical strength, sports, initiative, entrepreneurial nature, the power of understanding, short journeys, initiation into spiritual techniques, writing and communicative capability and the body parts – lower neck, shoulders, arms and ears (especially the right ones), hands, shoulders and collar bones, thyroid gland, respiratory and nervous systems, etc. For example, weakness of the third house and/or afflictions to the third house or its lord cause vulnerability to problems of respiratory canal, disorders of thyroid, imbalances in the nervous system, depression resulting in partial paralysis, stammering, shoulder pains, fracture in the collar bone region, partial deafness, respiratory diseases, asthma, tuberculosis, etc. A strong Mercury, as a significator of communicative capability, helps as a protective cover.
Fourth house is the house of Emotion and feelings

Hotels, real estate, mining, weather-related things, farming, geologist, landscaper, miner, archeologist, builder, forestry technician, architect, meteorologist, painter and decorator, realtor, oil field worker. Things associated with the land, such as gardens, forests, buildings, mines, oil wells, excavations. The home and any base of operations.Represents mother, happiness, upbringing, relatives, friends, supporters, basic education, vehicles and conveyances, domestic peace, mind, mental peace, spiritual life, confidence, righteous conduct, close of life, comforts, luxuries, country of birth, immovable properties, real estate, land, wells and tanks, house, home, assets and the body parts – the rib cage, heart, chest, lungs and breasts. For example, weakness of the fourth house and/or afflictions to the fourth house or its lord cause vulnerability to coronary problems, physical ailments of breast, chest, heart and epigastric region, lungs’ disorders, mental disorders, lunacy and the problems connected to the circulatory systems. A strong Moon as a significator of mother, Venus as significator of comforts and Mars as significator of immovable properties help as a protective cover.
Fifth house is the house of Amusement and sports

Entertainment, stocks, bonds, speculation, creative efforts, youth-oriented ventures, children, romance, educational institutions, hobbies, games, sports, amusements, vacations, play, actor, musician, athlete, recreation director, choreographer, sports photographer, obstetrician, arts and crafts workers, securities salesmen, hobby and game manufacturers, bowling alley operator, child psychologist. An attraction to where creativity is expressed – places of pleasure, entertainment, amusement, presentation of fine arts, films or drama, sports and recreational areas, hobbies, children and youth activities, school, stock market and speculation.
Sixth house is the house of daily works in life

Preparation and serving of foods, public utilities, armed services, hygiene, labor relations, nurses, tenants, drugstores, laboratories, maintenance, diet, pets, firemen, policemen, nurses, employment counselors, waiters, dentists, dietitian, food processor, hygienist, rehabilitation counselor, pet shop owner. Sickrooms and places where people handle food, chemicals or drugs. Public and private service and hygiene. Those who are at the beck and call of others – the servers. Diet and nutrition. Small pets and animals. Labor unions.Represents disputes, diseases and injuries, debts, enemies, opponents, competitors, thieves, fears, doubts, worries, vices, weaknesses, sound financial position, maternal uncles, service, employees, good health and protection against losses through theft, fire and cheating, misunderstandings, confrontation, litigation and the body parts – waist, navel, lower abdomen, kidneys, small intestine, upper part of large intestine, intestinal function, appendix, etc. For example, weakness of the sixth house and/or afflictions to the sixth house or its lord cause vulnerability to problems of appendicitis, poisoning, colics, constipation, hernia, blood urea, psychiatric problems, exhaustion and nervous breakdown. In other words, health, financial position and the position with reference to the opponents is identified through this house. A strong Mercury and Mars, as significators for health, help as a protective cover.
Seventh house is the house of Life mate

Direct public contact, partnerships, competitors, clients, marriage, legal matters, marriage counselor, social worker, lawyer, receptionist, merchant, pollster, sociologist, store clerk, law librarian, legal secretary, public defender, society editor. Activities linked with customers, clients, and the general public. Partnerships, legal matters, lawsuits, competition and known opposition.
Represents long term relationships, legal ties, spouse, partners in life and partners in business, vitality, potency, fertility, passion, outgoing nature, adultery, moral conduct, pleasures, comforts and life in foreign lands, success in love affairs, conjugal life, home abroad, travel, trade or business, expansion and the body parts – pelvic girdle, lumbar region, bladder, lower part of large intestine, inner sexual organs such as ovaries, uterus, cervix, testicles and prostate gland, etc. For example, weakness of the seventh house and/or afflictions to the seventh house or its lord cause vulnerability to generative organs, venereal diseases, arthritis, gout pains, urination problems, impotency, sterilization, renal problems, etc. A strong Venus, as significator for marital relationship, helps as a protective cover.
8th house is the house of Death

Investment, handling and care of other people’s money, inheritance, gifts, insurance, escrow, mortgages, loan companies, banked funds drawing interest, pensions, Social Security, Medicare, actuary, economist, cashier, tax consultant, purchasing agent, escrow officer, insurance agent, underwriter, embalmer, custodian, commodity loan clerk, accountant. Other people’s money and possessions or joint ownership. Activities where personal finances are used for profit such as stock dividends, pensions, savings account interest, or partnership income. Insurance, mortgages, escrow, taxes, loans, financial backing, inheritances, welfare and relief programs.Represents longevity, research, interest in mystical sciences, occult, inner and outer transformations, past and future events, inheritance, death, will and testament, insurances, easy gains, marital-tie, vulnerability, fear, accidents, obstructions, litigation, bankruptcy, theft, losses, misfortunes, disgrace, disappointments and the body parts – scrotum and anus, outer sexual organs, excretory organs, pelvic bones, etc. For example, weakness of the eighth house and/or afflictions to the eighth house or its lord cause vulnerability to hidrocele, fissure, impotency, piles, urinary infections, boils, chronic diseases, etc. A strong Saturn, as significator for longevity, helps as a protective cover.
9th house is the house Luck and Religion

Radio, television, publishing, lecturing, ideas expressed publicly, import/export, legal matters in court, foreign affairs, religion, higher education, travel agent, aviator, publisher, teacher, lawyer, media director, foreign trader, public relations man, advertiser, lecturer, clergyman, radio or TV technician, cruise director. Publicly expressed opinions such as publishing, teaching, or lecturing. The court, its decisions, and the jury are ruled by this house. Instruments related to broadcasting and reception, such as TV, radio, satellites, etc. Travel to foreign countries, import and export, as well as long journeys in general, especially for vacations.Represents father, preceptor, spiritual learning, spiritual inclinations, intuition, charity, virtue, duty, destiny on the basis of past lives and resultant happiness, meditation, foreign travel, long journeys of short duration and life in foreign lands, education abroad, grace, luck, general fortune, sudden and unexpected gains, religion, pilgrimages, philosophy, law, medicine, remedies, past, etc., and the body parts – thighs, left leg, thigh bones, bone marrow, hips, hip joints and the arterial system. For example, weakness of the ninth house and/or afflictions to the ninth house or its lord cause vulnerability to anemia, low productivity of blood, talassemia, leukemia, high fevers, diabetes, rheumatism and troubles in hips and thighs, etc. A strong Jupiter, as significator for general fortune, and a strong Sun, as significator for father, help as a protective cover.
10th house is the house career

Reputation, credit and success in business, civil service, political activity, government, publicity, industrialist, proprietor, politician, board chairman, political scientist, foreman, city manager, career counselor, credit investigator, manufacturer, supervisor, executive administrator. People who influence others with their prestige or authority. Work that requires an out-of-the- ordinary reputation in the community. Administration of public or private business or political office.Represents profession, career, vocation, promotion, livelihood, power, fame, public esteem, status, position, honor, karma in life, character, authority, government, employer, living abroad, ambition, next birth, happiness from male progeny, debts and the body parts – knee and kneecaps, joints and bones. For example, weakness of the tenth house and/or afflictions to the tenth house or its lord cause vulnerability to arthritis, broken knees, inflammation of joints, general weakness, skin diseases and allergies, emaciated body, etc, besides giving setbacks in professional matters. A strong Sun, as significator for organizational capability, helps as a protective cover.
11th house is the house of friends and stable property

Counseling, advising, friendship in relation to trade, sales, etc., professional hostess, reception clerk, psychologist, organizational worker, humanitarian, advisor, outreach worker, counselor, visiting nurse, candy-striper, club officer, social worker, lobbyist, psychiatrist, parole officer. Concerns friendly groups of acquaintances who come together in clubs, societies, and organizations. People who befriend and encourage progress of the mentally and physically handicapped or underprivileged. Those who offer helpful advice in an impersonal manner.Represents income, prosperity, gains, profit, friends, elder brother or sister, hopes and aspirations and their fulfillment, etc., and the body parts – shanks, ankles, shin bone, right leg, left ear and left arm. For example, weakness of the eleventh house and/or afflictions to the eleventh house or its lord cause vulnerability to circulatory problems, fracture of the lower portion of legs, pain in legs, problems of low productivity of blood, cancer of leg, etc. A strong Saturn, as significator for easy sources of income, helps as a protective cover.
12th house is the house of expenditure and long journey

Activities associated with large institutions, especially hospitals, prisons and places of confinement, work behind the scenes, research, detective agencies, biomedical engineer, surgeon, chemist, CBI agent, researcher, psychiatric social worker, statistician, historian, inspector, psychoanalyst, x-ray technician. Associated with places of restriction, confinement, and privacy, areas for functioning behind the scenes out of the public eye, such as confidential work, crime detection, or research. Imprisonment and bondage, personal secrets, secret liaisons or negotiations, and anonymous philanthropy.Represents expenses, losses, expenditures for charity, end of life, exile, life in foreign lands, obstructions in life, separation from family, going astray, withdrawal into retreat, transcendence, enlightenment, seclusion, imprisonment, hospitalization, pleasures of bed, sound sleep and work behind the scenes, as work in a hospital, asylum, prison, military quarters, or monastery, etc., and the body parts – left eye, lymphatic system and feet. For example, weakness of the twelfth house and/or afflictions to the twelfth house or its lord result in problems to the body parts governed by this house, sleep disturbances and weaken the immunization power. A strong Moon, as significator for immunization power and mental peace, and a strong Venus, as significator for happy marital relationship and comforts, help as a protective cover.