Horary Astrology - Assigning Houses

Assigning Houses

Houses play a more crucial role in horary astrology than they do in other branches of astrology. Any house system preferred by the astrologer may be used, but commonly horary astrologers choose to divide the chart using the Regiomontanus house system.

Understanding the correct house for the context of the question is pivotal to the correct interpretation of a horary question. Everything can be assigned to a house and it is to that house, and its ruler, that the assignation of the quesited is derived. Whatever planet is ruling the sign on the cusp of the house is called the quesited. The context of the horary will often determine the house. For example, if the horary is about matters pertaining to career, the ruler of the 10th House, natural house for careers and jobs, will be the quesited.

A short, non-exhaustive, list of possible associations with houses follows:

The First House

The querent (person asking the question). The querent's general vitality and life force. It may also describe the querent's appearance or temperament. It is considered the 'ship that you sail in'.

The Second House

The querent's finance, wealth and general material and financial possessions. Moveable possessions as opposed to immovable possessions. Allies or supports for the querent, such as your lawyer in court cases. Any personal (moveable) goods and belongings, immovable possessions such as houses are fourth house. Questions about the value of any of your possessions would be second house, for example the buying and selling of a car would be second house (not third).

The Third House

Siblings, neighbours and the local neighbourhood. Any general concern about relatives may be considered third house. Communications and contracts. General comings and goings and short journeys and travels. Letters, emails and paperwork. (Cars may be second or third depending on the context of the question- in matters of travel, the third may be used, in matters pertaining to the value of the car, or of buying or selling a car, then the second may be used.)

The Fourth House

Parents generally but the father in particular( the mother in Indian system ). Immovable possessions as opposed to moveable possessions, e.g. your houses, garden, orchard. Mines, oil, buried treasure and anything which comes from the 'bowels of the earth'.

The Fifth House

Children, love affairs and sex (not the eighth house). Gambling, speculation, games and pleasure. Any venue that caters to our pleasures or provide entertainment including restaurants, pubs/taverns, theatres and music venues.

The Sixth House

Illness and disease or sickness. Also servants, or anyone who works for you, such as a plumber, electrician or anyone in your employ. Pets and small animals, traditionally considered smaller than a goat (larger animals are twelfth house).

The Seventh House

Marriage, partners and partnerships - both business and personal. Competitors and opponents of all kinds. It is the house of open enemies, by which it is meant enemies that you are aware of. Hidden enemies are the twelfth house. If no other house suffices, use the seventh house to represent 'any old person'.

The Eighth House

Death, fears and anxiety. Inheritances, taxes and wills. It is also commonly used to indicate the financial status of partners or opponents (see 'Turning the chart' below).

The Ninth House

Long distance travel, or, travel to unknown or 'exotic' locations. Foreigners and foreign lands. Universities and students of any subject of higher education such as doctors, lawyers, priests and astrologers. Visions, dreams and religion, as well as churches and philosophies. Books. Pilgrimages or journeys for spiritual or religious reasons.

The Tenth House

Career, jobs, employers and persons of authority. Heads of state, the government generally, judges and royalty. It is also commonly used to indicate the property belonging to the partner or opponent (see 'Turning the chart' below).

The Eleventh House

Close friends or groups. Wishes, hopes and aspirations. It is considered the house of 'Good Fortune' and is often likened to 'pennies from heaven'. It is commonly used to infer the income from a profession or job as well as state benefits (see 'Turning the chart' below).

The Twelfth House

Secrets, hidden motives and enemies, captivity, imprisonment and self-undoing. Things not yet known to the querent. Any form of non-voluntary bondage or captivity, monastries, being voluntary and religious are ninth house. Witchcraft or any manner of secretly undermining the querent.