astrologia
Astrological houses
The astrological houses are twelve sectors of the natal chart that describe specific areas of life. Together with the planets (which are "the protagonists") and the signs (which are "the style") they complete the grammar of Western astrology: the planets act in the houses according to the color of the sign.
The twelve areas
1 identity and body; 2 values, money, talents; 3 communication, siblings, near environment; 4 home, roots, family of origin; 5 creativity, love, children, play; 6 daily work, routine, health; 7 partnership, peer relationships; 8 shared resources, sexuality, transformation; 9 distant travel, higher studies, philosophy; 10 career, status, vocation; 11 friends, projects, community; 12 inner life, dreams, withdrawal.
House systems
There are different methods for dividing the sky into twelve houses: Placidus (the most widespread in the West), Koch (popular in Germany), Whole Sign (traditional, used in Hellenistic and Vedic astrology), Porphyry, Regiomontanus, Campanus, Equal House. The differences are felt especially at extreme latitudes: Tarotsi s tool uses Placidus by default.
FAQ
Are the houses always equal to the signs?
No. The twelve signs of the zodiac are fixed (Aries, Taurus, ..., Pisces) and rotate in the sky. The houses are instead fixed with respect to the place and time of birth.
Can I have empty houses?
Yes. It is common to have some houses without planets: this does not mean that area is not important; it only means that it is less symbolically "loaded".
Which is the most important house?
It depends on the theme of your life. The first house (ascendant) is always relevant for identity; the "angular" houses (1, 4, 7, 10) are particularly powerful.