EQUAL HOUSE
WHOLE SIGN
PLACIDUS
CAMPANUS
PORPHYRY
Alcabitius
Whole Sign Houses: In this system, each house corresponds exactly to one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. The entire sign that contains the Ascendant (the point on the eastern horizon at the time of birth) becomes the first house, the next sign becomes the second house, and so on. This system is simple and easy to understand, but it doesn't take into account the exact degree of the Ascendant or the Midheaven (the highest point in the sky at the time of birth), which some astrologers believe are important.
For example, if your Ascendant is in Leo, then the whole sign of Leo becomes your first house, Virgo becomes your second house, and so on. This can be used to gain insights into different areas of your life, such as your personality (first house), your values and possessions (second house), your communication style and immediate environment (third house), etc.
Equal Houses: In this system, the Ascendant marks the cusp, or beginning, of the first house, and each subsequent house cusp is located exactly 30 degrees from the previous one, resulting in twelve equal houses of 30 degrees each. This system takes into account the exact degree of the Ascendant, but it doesn't consider the Midheaven.
For example, if your Ascendant is at 15 degrees Leo, then the cusp of your second house will be at 15 degrees Virgo, the cusp of your third house will be at 15 degrees Libra, and so on. This can be used to gain insights into different areas of your life in a similar way to the Whole Sign Houses system.
The choice between Whole Sign Houses and Equal Houses (or any other house system) can depend on various factors, including personal preference, tradition, and the specific requirements of the astrological analysis being performed. Some astrologers prefer the simplicity of the Whole Sign system, while others prefer the precision of the Equal Houses system.
Astrologers use various house systems to divide the chart into 12 "houses," or areas of life. The two most common systems are the Placidus system and the Equal House system.
Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice often comes down to personal preference or tradition.
EQUAL HOUSE SYSTEM
The Equal House system is one of the many house systems used in astrology. It's a method of dividing the celestial sphere into twelve equal parts, known as 'houses', each one representing different aspects of life.
In the Equal House system, the Ascendant, or the point on the eastern horizon at the exact time of birth, marks the cusp, or beginning, of the first house. Each subsequent house cusp is then located exactly 30 degrees from the previous one, resulting in twelve equal houses of 30 degrees each. This is in contrast to some other house systems, which result in unequal house sizes.
The Equal House system is thought to be one of the oldest house systems, with roots in Hellenistic astrology, which was practiced around the Mediterranean from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD. It's believed to have been used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, among others.
Each house in this system represents a different area of life. For example, the first house represents the self, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so on.
The Equal House system is often used by modern astrologers who prefer its simplicity and symmetry.
In the Equal House system, each house is exactly 30 degrees, beginning from the exact degree of your Ascendant (your rising sign).
This system is straightforward and easy to understand, as it divides the ecliptic into 12 equal parts.
Strengths: The Equal House system is often used in Hellenistic and traditional astrology. It is also used widely in modern astrology, particularly in Europe.
Its simplicity and consistency can make it easier for beginners to understand.
Weaknesses: One potential drawback of the Equal House system is that it doesn't take into account the tilt of the earth's axis, so it may not reflect the actual time it takes for each sign to rise and set.
WHOLE SIGN
The Whole Sign House system is one of the oldest methods used in astrology to divide the celestial sphere into twelve 'houses'. This system has roots in Hellenistic astrology, which was practiced around the Mediterranean from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD, and it was the primary house system used until the introduction of the Alchabitius house system in the 5th century AD.
In the Whole Sign House system, each house corresponds exactly to one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. The entire sign that contains the Ascendant (the point on the eastern horizon at the time of birth) becomes the first house. The next sign in zodiacal order, regardless of the degree, becomes the second house, and so on, until each sign has been assigned to a house. This results in twelve houses of varying size, depending on the size of the signs at the time and location of the birth.
Each house in the Whole Sign system represents a different area of life, similar to other house systems. For example, the first house represents the self and personal identity, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so forth.
The Whole Sign House system is simple and straightforward, making it easy to understand and interpret. However, it does not take into account the exact degree of the Ascendant or the Midheaven (the highest point in the sky at the time of birth), which some astrologers believe are significant.
In recent years, the Whole Sign House system has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly among astrologers practicing Hellenistic or traditional forms of astrology. However, like all house systems, its use is a matter of personal preference and interpretation. Some astrologers prefer the Whole Sign system for its historical roots and simplicity, while others prefer different systems that consider the Ascendant and Midheaven degrees.
Placidus House
The Placidus House system, also known as the Placidian system, is one of the most popular and widely used house systems in Western astrology today. It's named after the 17th-century Italian mathematician and astrologer Placidus de Titis.
In the Placidus system, the celestial sphere is divided into twelve houses based on a complex mathematical formula that takes into account the time it takes for a degree of the ecliptic to rise above the horizon and to culminate at the Midheaven. This results in houses that are of unequal size. The Ascendant marks the cusp of the first house, and the Midheaven marks the cusp of the tenth house. The other house cusps are calculated based on the division of time.
Each house in the Placidus system represents a different area of life, similar to other house systems. For example, the first house represents the self and personal identity, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so forth.
One of the key features of the Placidus system is that it takes into account the geographical latitude of the birth place, which can result in significant differences in house sizes at extreme northern or southern latitudes. At very high latitudes, some houses can become extremely large, and others can become very small or even non-existent. This is known as the "polar distortion" problem, and it's one of the main criticisms of the Placidus system.
Despite this, the Placidus system is appreciated for its perceived accuracy in reflecting the actual lived experience, as it takes into account both spatial and temporal factors. It's often used in natal astrology, which is the branch of astrology that deals with the individual's birth chart.
Campanus House
The Campanus House system is another method used in astrology to divide the celestial sphere into twelve 'houses'.
It's named after the 13th-century Italian mathematician and astrologer Campanus of Novara.
In the Campanus system, the prime vertical (a great circle that intersects the east point, the zenith, the west point, and the nadir) is divided into twelve equal parts, starting from the Ascendant. The intersections of these divisions with the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere) mark the cusps, or beginnings, of the houses. This results in houses that are of unequal size.
Each house in the Campanus system represents a different area of life, similar to other house systems. For example, the first house represents the self and personal identity, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so forth.
One of the key features of the Campanus system is that it takes into account the geographical latitude of the birth place, similar to the Placidus system. However, the Campanus system does not suffer from the "polar distortion" problem that can occur with the Placidus system at extreme northern or southern latitudes.
The Campanus system is appreciated for its mathematical elegance and its ability to produce meaningful house divisions at all latitudes. However, like all house systems, the use of the Campanus system is a matter of personal preference and interpretation. Some astrologers prefer the Campanus system for its mathematical basis and its latitude sensitivity, while others prefer different systems that are simpler to calculate and interpret, or that result in equal house sizes.
Alcabitius House
The Alcabitius House system, also known as the Alchabitius system, is a method used in astrology to divide the celestial sphere into twelve 'houses'. It's named after Al-Qabisi (Alchabitius), a 10th-century Arabic astrologer whose introductory textbook was widely used in medieval Europe.
In the Alcabitius system, the celestial equator is divided into twelve equal parts, starting from the Ascendant. The intersections of these divisions with the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere) mark the cusps, or beginnings, of the houses. This results in houses that are of unequal size.
Each house in the Alcabitius system represents a different area of life, similar to other house systems. For example, the first house represents the self and personal identity, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so forth.
One of the key features of the Alcabitius system is that it takes into account the geographical latitude of the birth place, similar to the Placidus and Campanus systems. However, the Alcabitius system does not suffer from the "polar distortion" problem that can occur with the Placidus system at extreme northern or southern latitudes.
The Alcabitius system was the dominant house system in Europe during the Middle Ages, before it was largely replaced by the Regiomontanus and Placidus systems. However, like all house systems, the use of the Alcabitius system is a matter of personal preference and interpretation.
Some astrologers prefer the Alcabitius system for its historical significance and its latitude sensitivity, while others prefer different systems that are simpler to calculate and interpret, or that result in equal house sizes.
Porphyry House
The Porphyry House system is another method used in astrology to divide the celestial sphere into twelve 'houses'. This system is named after the ancient Greek philosopher Porphyry of Tyre, although there's no historical evidence that he actually developed or used this system.
In the Porphyry system, the space between the angles (the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Descendant, and the Imum Coeli) is trisected to determine the house cusps. This results in houses that are of unequal size.
Each house in the Porphyry system represents a different area of life, similar to other house systems.
For example, the first house represents the self and personal identity, the second house represents personal possessions and values, the third house represents communication and immediate environment, and so forth.
One of the key features of the Porphyry system is its simplicity. It's easier to calculate than some other house systems, such as the Placidus or Campanus systems, which makes it a popular choice among some astrologers.
However, like all house systems, the use of the Porphyry system is a matter of personal preference and interpretation. Some astrologers prefer the Porphyry system for its simplicity and ease of calculation, while others prefer different systems that take into account other factors, such as the geographical latitude of the birth place or the division of time.
RESOURCES
๐ก Astro House Guide ๐
Placidus System
Best for: Psychological profiling & personal growth ๐ฑ
โจ Use when analyzing:
- Childhood patterns
- Relationship dynamics ๐
- Career development paths
Whole Sign
Best for: Yearly predictions & event timing ๐
โจ Perfect for:
- Solar return charts
- Medical astrology ๐ก๏ธ
- Karmic lessons
Equal House
Best for: Beginners & quick readings ๐ฎ
๐ Great when:
- Learning house meanings
- Comparing multiple systems
- Working with polar regions โ๏ธ
Koch
Best for: Location-based readings ๐บ๏ธ
๐ Ideal for:
- Relocation astrology
- Astrocartography
- North American clients ๐บ๐ธ
Campanus
Best for: Spiritual & mundane astrology ๐
๐ญ Use when exploring:
- Collective trends
- Soul purpose
- Historical event analysis
๐ซ Remember: The best system is what resonates with you! ๐
