Houses in astrology

Houses in astrology

S N Rao

For any date, time and place, there are some stars rising in the eastern origin and some stars setting in the western horizon. This is because of the earth's rotation around its axis. The eastern horizon is called the first house, whereas the western horizon is the person is called the mid heaven or the 10^th house. In Indian system of house division the rising point, the setting point and the mid heaven point are considered the centre of the 1st house, 7th house and 10th house respectively, whereas in the western system these are considered the starting points of the houses.

Why do we calculate house

In astrology, we describe the planet's results in a particular house. The planets are known to give results according to the house in which they live. The Lagna chart only telss us in which sign a planet is posited. It also tells us about the aspects of a planet on the other planets. However, it does not confirm the house in which a planet is situated. So we make another chart called Chalit, which gives us the information about the house in which a planet is posited. To draw the Chalit chart, determine the starting point of the twelve houses as described and if the planet degree lies in the extent of the house, then place the planet in that house. Normally the house position derived in such a manner and the house occupied by the planet in the Lagna chart are same. But they tend to differ if the ascendant degree is high and planet degree is low or vice versa. To represent this situation, sometimes we place the planet in Bhava Sandhi. We draw a chart with twelve houses and twelve Bhava Sandhis. The planet which is in the same house in Lagna or as per house degrees, it is placed in the house; else it is placed in the Bhava Sandhi. In the South Indian style where each box represents a sign (not a house) we mark the houses with degrees and place the planets and houses in the order of the degree they own. If a planet is beyond the limit of the house we take it in the next house.

Different methods are in vogue to determine the extent of the house. However, only two systems of house division are common.

1. Indian system of house division : In this system ascendant and the mid heaven are calculated and the difference between them is divided into six equal parts. The mid heaven is the centre of 10th house. Adding the sixth part gives the ending of 10th house or starting of 11th house. Adding of sixth part again and again gives 11th house middle, 12th house beginning, 12th house middle, 1^st house beginning and 1st house middle. In a similar way adding to the ascendant successively the sixth part of the difference between 4th house and the ascendant, longitudes of the 2nd and 3rd houses are obtained. The remaining houses can be calculated by adding 6 signs to each of the opposite house.

2.  Western system of house division : In this system, the star rising in the eastern horizon is on the ascendant. It then passes over the 12th house, the 11th house, the 10th house etc. in equal intervals of time, until it sets when it reaches the descendant. The ascendant and mid heaven are taken as start of the respective house and not the centre. The exact method of calculation of house degrees is difficult and tables are available to compute it on the basis of the sidereal time or the 10th house. Krishnamurthy System uses the above system of house division only.

Important

It is very important to consider the house division for correct predictions. The planets show their behaviour according to the house they occupy. The behaviour is enhanced depending upon its strength, which is determined depending  upon  the  sign  or Nakshatra it occupies. Hence use Lagna chart only to know the sign in which a planet

is posited and use Chalit chart to confirm the house position of the planet. Do not take the aspects as per the house or Lagna chart. Look at the degrees to determine if there is any aspect between two planets.