12 Archetypes, 12 Houses: An Essential Layer of the Birth Chart
An Introduction to Astrological Houses
A foundational element in astrology that is often overlooked in the beginning stages of learning is the concept of astrological houses. The houses are the structural system that divide the birth chart wheel into 12 different parts.
The 12 houses represent distinct areas of life, and the signs that fall into them offer context for how that area of life is playing out. The houses form the container that the sign expresses itself within. The astrological houses are essential in forming an accurate birth chart interpretation, and can be easily understood with a fundamental knowledge of astrological archetypes.
Astrological Archetypes
The astrology signs that we know, from Aries to Pisces, get their significance from the myths that inspired their names. But what inspired those myths? The deeper meaning originates from archetypal energy: the universal expressions of human consciousness that are alive and psychologically embedded within us all.
The astrological archetypes encapsulate the human experience into 12 realms, which were projected onto the constellations that the planets pass through, creating the 12 zodiac signs that we know and speak about today. The astrological houses draw their significance from the same pool of archetypal meaning. The only difference between the meaning of the houses and the signs is that the house is the area of life, and the sign is the context of how that area of life is playing out.
Yes, everything that you know about the zodiac signs can be applied to the houses as well. You just need to know which house corresponds to which archetype.
Making it Simple
To make this easier, know that the houses go in the same linear order as the zodiac signs.
Aries is the first sign, and the Aries archetype is attributed to the First House. The First House is the Aries area of life: freedom, identity, assertive action, and the right to exist.
Taurus is the second zodiac sign, and the Taurus archetype is attributed to the Second House: survival, earthly resources, and personal values.
Gemini is the third zodiac sign, and the Gemini archetype is attributed to the Third House: communication, the mind, curiosity, and learning.
And so on.
The 12 Houses: a General Description
Here is a breakdown of some of the core, basic meanings of each of the 12 houses. This is not a prescriptive recipe book, but rather basic suggestions to build off from.
1st house (Aries themes): freedom, identity, right to exist, assertive action, pioneering, initiating new beginnings
2nd house (Taurus themes): survival, earthly resources, personal values, the relationship to oneself,
3rd house (Gemini themes): communication, the mind, thinking, learning, drawing conclusions
4th house (Cancer themes): family, the early home, emotionality, childhood, emotional nurturance
5th house (Leo themes): creative self-expression, being seen, personal light and life force, the desired to be lovable, acting out personas
6th house (Virgo themes): daily routines, self-maintenance, being in service, purifying and cleansing, discerning what stays and what goes
7th house (Libra themes): relationships, projections, expectations, balance or the lack of, cooperation, comparisons, the outward public face we wear
8th house (Scorpio themes): below the surface, psychological shadows, sexual desires, merging with someone or something outside of oneself, making deep and life-changing commitments
9th house (Sagittarius themes): travel, beliefs, philosophies, worldviews, opinions, personal vision, perspectives on truth, paradigms, optimism, faith
10th house (Capricorn themes): career, mastery, maturity, integrity, authority, parenting and governance, hard work over time to achieve a goal
11th house (Aquarius themes): groups, the collective, the individual, liberation, individuating onto an authentic life path, distancing oneself, gaining objectivity, trauma and dissociation
12th house (Pisces themes): healing, returning to wholeness, spirituality, dreams and fantasies, what is hidden or unseen, ending before the rebirth
“Sun Sign Astrology” is Incomplete
Everyone probably knows their sun sign, based on the day they were born. And likely too many of us have at some point heard a gross generalization about it. It could go something to the tune of: “all Virgos are like this, and all Scorpios are like that.”
These generalizations can be comical, uniting, sometimes resonant and true, but are completely lacking in depth or specifics. The superficiality of these watered-down “cookbook astrology” descriptions run the risk of giving astrology a bad name.
However, when we include the houses into our sun sign interpretations, much clearer, more personalized, and nuanced descriptions come the fore.
Putting it into Practice: Sun in Leo in the 10th House
Let’s take a sun in Leo for example. Someone with the sun in Leo, born between July 23 and August 23, is here to have their central radiance stem from their confidence, joy, self-expression, and ability to be seen as they bring their creative gifts to the world.
If the sun in Leo is in the 10th house, which corresponds to the Capricorn archetype and represents the area of life concerning career, maturity, and personal integrity, then this person’s career area of life could be be colored by their creative self expression.
Their maturation process and embodiment of greater personal integrity is playing out in the realm of how they express themselves and take up space to be seen by others. Perhaps they are a natural leader or authority figure who can confidently take center stage.
Sun in Leo in the 11th House
The interpretation above will differ greatly from someone with their sun in Leo in the 11th house. The 11th house, representing the Aquarian archetype, is the area of life concerning like-minded groups, individuation, liberation, objectivity, and fulfilling a humanitarian cause. The Sun in Leo in the 11th house could have their central radiance stem from their friend group being found in the context of a shared interest in the arts or creativity. They could be gaining greater objectivity on how to serve the greater good through their self-expression. They might be individuating and liberating in the context of letting their light be seen.
No Planets in Cancer, But Many in the 4th House
Another case that highlights the importance of houses is if someone does not have any planets in a certain sign, but has many planets in the house that corresponds to that same archetype. For example, say someone doesn’t have any planets in Cancer, but they do have many planets in the 4th House. Since Cancer is the 4th zodiac sign, the Cancerian archetype colors the 4th house: family, emotionality, innocence, childhood, the need for nurturance and safety.
While not having any planets in Cancer, this person still has lots of Cancerian energy via their planets in the 4th house. This cannot be overlooked!
Different House Systems
To make this more complicated for a moment, know there are many different house systems, each with its own theory and reason for use, and no one can seem to agree on which is best. Some of the more common house systems are Porphyry, Placidus, Koch, and Whole Sign systems. Evolutionary Astrology uses the Porphyry house system as it was the preferred method used by EA’s founder Jeffrey Wolf Greene in his tens of thousands of chart studies. Regardless of which house system you choose, all of them will divide the celestial sphere into 12 houses.
A different house system can alter your chart interpretation, sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly, and sometimes not at all. If planets or points end up crossing the boundary line into another house, especially if it is Pluto or the lunar nodes, important pieces of the soul’s narrative will change.
It’s my personal belief that each house system has an aspect of truth to it. Rather than argue about which system is more accurate or valid, I think it’s best for us to explore our charts in the various house systems to discover their differences and be open to the messages that they have for us. If you prefer to keep it simple, find one house system that works for you and stick to it. I use Porphyry. My moon changes houses when using Placidus, and while I could see how that interpretation would fit, the Porphyry placement resonates with me more.
The real point is, no matter which system you use, it is essential to understand that the houses have a significant impact on the planets or points that they contain.
IF THE BIRTH TIME IS UNKNOWN
If the birth time is unknown, the houses will not be personalized, and this important layer of information will not be provided. Interpreting a chart with an unknown birth time is more difficult because the picture is not fully complete. However, there are several possible solutions that can be tried.
A common practice is to align the 12 houses with the 12 signs by using a Whole Sign house system, so that all of Aries is in the first house, all of Taurus is in the 2nd house, all of Gemini is in the 3rd house, and so on.
Another option is to use the house system of your choice, set the birth time for midday at 12 pm, and allow the houses to be formed according to that time.
You can also use a divination tool such as a pendulum to help determine which birth time is right for you to work with.
I personally feel that as long as we are aware of and open to the challenge that these charts provide, we can work with the element of the unknown by leaning further into the information that we do have, and accepting the mystery of what we do not.
Bringing it all Together
Astrological houses are a vital component in birth chart interpretation. Without them, an interpretation is not complete. How can we explain the outliers, such as the risk-taking Virgo or a pragmatic and disciplined Aquarius? Where is there room for a shy Gemini or an expressive and whimsical Capricorn? How is someone with a sun in Pisces in the 2nd house different from Pisces in the 8th?
When we are ready, we can take our astrological studies to the next level by including the houses, and raise the bar in a conversation that has become extremely diluted with generalizations.
By expanding our knowledge of astrology to include the houses, we can go further into the mysteries of ourselves and others. It’s worth it.
