The Meanings of the Houses in Evidence-Based Astrology

Based on research, the meanings of the houses can be simplified somewhat. If you have looked into various types of Astrology, the house meanings can have quite a wide variety of meanings. Vedic astrology and Hellenistic astrology have many meanings that aren’t used in other types of astrology. So, following are the stripped down meanings, based on what research has revealed.

*One thing to keep in mind regarding the houses in astrology, is that the houses and also the signs aren’t nearly as important - based on the research - in interpreting a chart as they have been made out to be in most forms of astrology. In Evidence-based astrology, it has been found that planetary ASPECTS are the MOST IMPORTANT part of a person’s chart, that which will reveal the most about them, about what will motivate them in life, what will cause the to act and feel the way that they do. Signs reveal only the STYLE in which a person behaves, and houses emphasis the AREA of LIFE that is highlighted.

First House: How we present ourselves to others. Our persona, how we appear to others, and how we go about negotiating with the world. Our identity and how we present ourselves to the world is the fundamental point on which all the rest of our lives is built.

Second House: Our values and ethics. This can manifest outwardly with the things - the physical assets - that we value, as well as how we believe the things we value should be used or taken care of. Also, how we understand the rules of life, how we believe things should be done. Money, personal assets and what you own are also seen from this house.

Third House: This is how we perceive our immediate environment. The “microscope”. Seeing things in minute detail. Also, what we are curious about. Can also be related to sight, and how we see things (as well as how we perceive). This house can also relate to our siblings, communications and how we express ourselves, especially with words. Also, short journeys can be see from this house.

Forth House: This is our comfort zone, where we don’t think, we just are. Pre-thought. This is where you can just be without thinking about yourself. You have no role, no mask, and no social rules as well. Your natural and instinctive way of being. How you feel most at home. You can be informal here. No pretenses. This house can also manifest as the home, the mother, the father and domestic life.

Fifth House: To express oneself creatively. To create something that can be shared. A product. Like art or music. Also a small business that creates something can be seen from this house. There is a need to be personally expressive. There is a need to integrate various aspects of oneself - like thoughts and feelings - to create a coherent expression of the self. This house can also manifest as children, romance and enjoyment in relationships, fun, creativity, games, sports, gambling and all light hearted, enjoyable activities. Also, entertainment.

Sixth House: This house relates to our daily work, routines, chores and all the things we need to do regularly to keep life running smoothly, service oriented work, a desire to fix things and make things work well. This house also relates to health and illness. Our diet as it relates to health may be seen from this house as well

Seventh House: This house relates to partnership. To have an equal partner. Friends and partners of all kinds, including marriage and business partners. All “others”. This house is opposite the First House, which represents “us”in our chart.

Eighth House: This house relates to the things we share. Emotionally, it’s the house of intimacy, coming together with another - this can include sex. We also share money, assets (this house is opposite the Second House, our own personal assets). This house can relate to investments, banking (where someone else takes care of our money). Also, the occult, mysticism and the afterlife can relate to this house. Also, fear, trauma and deeply emotional, psychological issues can be seen here. This house contains things that we don’t usually openly show others, hidden things.

Ninth House: This is the larger view, and taking things in from above, where you can see the bigger picture, also the “telescope” - opposite to the Third House, which is the “microscope”. This house deals with the aspects of life that act as glue to a social group, a community. The philosophy, religion and belief systems that give meaning to people and groups. This house represents the theoretical framework that we live within and that help us to feel comfortable. It is an emotionally based safety net within abstract beliefs or understandings about life and the Universe (and God).

Tenth House: This house covers the role we play in life. When we are playing a role, we like to wear a uniform, to express our role. We are aware of ourselves here (unlike in the Forth House, where we can just be ourselves without thinking about it - just being comfortable and not playing a role). We know that we exist and we know that we feel compelled to play a role in life. We see life as a movie and we need to play our part. There is a tendency to strategize and manipulate wit this house, through a sense of detachment. There is not necessarily insincerity in playing the part, there could be…but there is just a need to play a role, and you can choose what role that will be, what costume will be put on, what mask will be worn to interact with others. Other manifestations of this house are career, one’s reputation with others and the community, organizations, governments and interpersonal creativity.

Eleventh House: To coordinate a network, group or system. The team (rather than the individual, like in the Fifth House). Resources are dependent on the group and with networks. We all depend on each other to create the resources needed to benefit the collective. “A man is not an island.” Organizations, clubs, social activities, friends, as well as distant or high level hopes, wishes and aspirations are seen in this house.

Twelfth House: This house relates to meeting one’s responsibilities to Oneself, to Life and to a Higher Power. The house relates to feelings of guilt and shame. Also, religion, mysticism can be seen from this house (as well as the Eighth House) - a more Universal type of religious experience. This house can have a strong impact on one’s direction in life, because of the sense of responsibility. There can be a feeling of having a mission or a Divine plan coming from this house. Health related professions are often seen from the Twelfth House. This house can also manifest as psychic abilities, a call to a selfless way of life, the spiritual life, as well as sacrifice, hidden enemies and self-undoing.