The field of astrology is huge with so many possibilities. To study it in a manageable proportion, we must look at it segment by segment. Once we have two astrological segments under reasonable control, we can merge them to develop an understandable narrative. Once we’ve studied an additional segment, we use the same merging process to expand our information while keeping it cohesive. We study segment by segment, adding to our previous storage until we have a complete and usable body of information from which we can extract at any time. This reminds me of the way we learn anything, step by step, adding as we go.
To individualize that body of astrological information, we start with the birth wheel for any birth. Then, we extract from that set of information at will, weaving the various segments that are appropriate for that wheel to read that person’s life story. In short, we learn the basics of astrology so that we can tell the personal story of each individual sky map.
In other articles I have suggested that there are four pillars of astrology: planets, signs, houses, and aspects. Also, my conclusion is that the planets are the cornerstone of the four cornerstones. Each of these four segments should be studied in the early stages of astrology so that they can be combined as described to begin the reading process. In this article we will look at two of the segments, planets and houses, in a particular combination technique called the derived house system. This technique can be used for those astrology students who have completed the beginner stage. Soon …
- Houses They are the division of the 360 degree wheel into 12 compartments. Each compartment contains roughly 1/12 of anyone’s life experience or problems, so each compartment is packed with problems. Since the entire house system is built with the Earth at the center of each wheel, the houses are the realistic experience for that wheel and that person.
- Planets They represent the various functions of the human being, such as the ego and self-identity impulses, nesting, family and emotional impulses, communication and learning function, the impulse to relate, to name a few. Traditionally there are ten bodies: our star, our satellite the Moon, and our eight sister planets.
Derivative house system To study a single planet in depth, one must go beyond the generic meaning of that planet to see it functioning in the sign in which it is positioned, the house it occupies, the house it governs and the aspects in which it is involved. All of that is valuable and generally goes as far as any reading goes. The derived technique can give you another layer of home meaning by simply looking at the 12-time process of any of the ten planets. How? It simply begins with the position of a single planet in the house it occupies and mentally recognizes it as the first expression of the house on that planet. Then count consecutively counterclockwise around the wheel of that first house. Each planet and what that planet represents in the individual will have the contribution of the 12 houses and their problems. You are not losing the value of a regular reading of a wheel, you are simply adding an extra layer of meaning. An example could make this explanation easier to understand.
Let’s start with the Sun (ego drive) in Scorpio (sign) in the fifth house (occupation), ruling the third (rule), and then we will list the aspects and their meanings individually. That takes you through the usual method of reading the sun. For another layer of meaning, put your finger on that Sun (ego and self-identity) and acknowledge that your first house expression, regardless of which house the Sun occupies, is the way the world views the Sun’s problems, how that Sun and its problems. respond immediately to activations in your environment, that Sun’s personal self-projection, and the Sun’s coping skills. Where does the Sun (ego, self-identity) begin? All of that actually takes place in the 5th house of this example, so you should also view this solar application as creativity, children of mind and body, speculation, and family values (2nd of 4th natal). The Sun has more than an identity of its own, it also has a value system, communication, relationship and all the other usual traditional meanings of the house and that is determined by this method.
- If the Sun is in the 5th and that is your personal projection point (1st house for that person’s Sun), the value systems for the Sun will be in the adjacent 6th house (next counterclockwise) . The value system of the Sun as the sixth house relates to matters of work, service and / or health.
- Communication for the problems of the Sun (self identity, ego, etc.) is the 3rd house of the Sun or the 7th house in this example. In this example, the Sun’s communication mechanism will operate through the association and network function of the card owner’s association house.
- One more … home, home, roots (fourth house problems) for the Sun actually occurs in the eighth (next house counterclockwise) of joint values, joint finances, issues life or death, etc.
To make it easier for you to learn and play with this technique, here are some short statements about the basic meanings of the planet and the house:
First planets …
- The Sun represents self identity, ego, basic character and general vitality.
- The Moon represents emotions, memory, maternal and instinctual impulses.
- Mercury represents communication, education and transportation issues.
- Venus represents relationship skills and urges, issues of social and financial worth.
- Mars represents our assertive and aggressive impulses, our courage or lack of them.
- Jupiter represents our expansive, philosophical, who seeks more impulses from life.
- Saturn represents structure, duty, responsibility, and organizational skills.
- Uranus represents issues of individualization, rebellion, futuristic and unique.
- Neptune represents inspiration, aspiration, dreams, visions, delusional problems.
- Pluto represents power, helplessness, empowerment, and destiny at work.
Then houses …
- The first house is self-projection, coping skills, immediate response to the environment, the way the world sees you.
- The second house is the values and social and financial resources, the talents.
- The 3rd house is for communications, education and transportation, siblings, cousins and neighbors.
- House 4 is home, home, family, roots, internal security of the parents, conclusions.
- The fifth house are creations of the mind and body, love, speculation, family values.
- The sixth house is your daily work, service to others, and health.
- The seventh house is all associations, business and personal, networks and alliances.
- The eighth house is joint securities and finances, insurance, taxes, and death.
- The ninth house is belief systems, higher education, legalities, multicultural activities.
- The 10th house is goals, achievements, height, reputation, career, success, or lack thereof.
- The 11th house are friends, groups, career results, wishes, hopes, and dreams.
- The 12th house is hidden, recessive and can self-sabotage, a blind spot,
Just pick a planet and read it through the 12 houses starting with the house it occupies as number 1. You can do that for each of the 10 bodies. This is a study technique initially, but once you get the hang of it, you will find yourself including it in your readings quite easily.
Recommended reading:
Cornerstones of astrology: planets, signs, houses and aspects