Houses, known as "Bhavas," play a crucial role in interpreting a person's life and destiny. Each of the twelve houses of the horoscope chart holds specific significations and governs various aspects of life, including health issues. It stands not only for specific areas of life but also deeply influences the way planets express their energies based on their placement within these houses.
It is important to look into your houses not only separately, but also how they relate to their opposite. E.g. axis 1/7 deals with the balance between self, ego, personal representation (house 1) and longterm partnerships that we build and how we operate in them, especially marriage (house 7). Axis 4/10 on one side highlights our home, inner peace, feeling of security (home 4) and on the other side our projections in the outer world, ambition, career and reputation. Rahu and Ketu, planets/grahas that are always opposite to each other, highlights what axis are specifically important for an individual.
In the natural zodiac, the signs order corresponds to the numbering of houses, i.e. Aries corresponds to the first house, Taurus to the second, Gemini to the third, etc. Zodiac signs descriptions correlate with house significations.
1. First House (Lagna or Ascendant): Represents the self, appearance, personality, and overall health and vitality.
2. Second House: Related to wealth, possessions, family, speech, and the face. It also concerns values and material resources.
3. Third House: Governs communication, siblings, courage, short trips, writing, and early education. It also indicates one's efforts and the ability to initiate.
4. Fourth House: Deals with mother, home, property, vehicles, and emotional security.
5. Fifth House: Associated with children, creativity, romance, education, and speculation. It also concerns wisdom, intelligence, and past life merits.
6. Sixth House: Relates to enemies, debts, health issues, daily work life, and service. It is also the house of obstacles and challenges, including litigation.
7. Seventh House: Concerns marriage and partnerships, longterm business relationships, and deals with the public and foreign matters.
8. Eighth House: Involves transformation, death, inheritances, and matters related to the occult and mysticism. It also includes sudden changes and longevity.
9. Ninth House: Governs father, higher education, philosophy, religion, law, and long-distance travel. It is considered the house of luck, fate, and fortune.
10. Tenth House: Deals with career, reputation, authority figures, and achievements. It also signifies one's status and authority figures (sometimes also associated with father as an authority figure and opposite to mother house 4).
11. Eleventh House: Associated with income, gains, friendships, and group activities. It also concerns hopes, wishes, and long-term goals.
12. Twelfth House: Relates to expenses, losses, isolation, and moksha (liberation). It also concerns foreign lands, hospitals, prisons, and secret enemies.
Houses do not have the same value and could be classified on their functional qualities and what dynamics they bring to a chart.
Kendra Houses / Quadrants: Houses 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th.
These are considered the most powerful and pivotal houses in a chart. Kendra houses are related to vital aspects of life: self (1st), home and mother (4th), partnerships (7th), and career (10th). Planets placed in these houses generally give strong results and are crucial for determining a person's path and achievements.
Trikona Houses (Trines): Houses 1st, 5th, and 9th.
These are the houses of dharma and fortune, considered the most auspicious in the chart. They relate to the self and personality (1st), creativity and progeny (5th), and higher learning and spirituality (9th). The Trikona houses promote growth, prosperity, and are linked to one's luck and spiritual inclinations. Planet rulers of Trikona houses are considered highly auspicious.
Dusthana Houses (Difficult or Malefic Houses): 6th, 8th, and 12th.
These houses are associated with challenges, struggles, and losses. The 6th house relates to health issues and enemies, the 8th house to transformations and crises (including death and inheritance), and the 12th house to expenditures, losses, and isolation. Planets placed here often indicate areas of life where the native will face difficulties or undergo significant transformations.
Upachaya Houses (Houses of Growth): Houses 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th.
Upachaya houses are associated with progress and material gains over time. These houses show improvement with age and effort. They include areas like initiative and courage (3rd), competition and challenges (6th), career and status (10th), and income and achievements (11th). Benefic planets in these houses tend to improve their positive effects over time, while malefic planets here are said to cause less harm as the native gets older.
Maraka Houses (Killer Houses): Houses mainly the 2nd and 7th.
These houses are associated with potential life-threatening dangers. The 2nd house relates to family and wealth but also to death due to its position opposite the 8th house of longevity. The 7th house, indicating partnerships and marriage, is considered a Maraka because it is the 12th from the 8th house, thus potentially ending the life cycle started in the 8th. Planets placed in these houses, especially malefic planets, are often scrutinized for their potential to bring about endings or critical transformations.
Each category offers a unique insight into the planetary influences and life themes that they govern, shaping the predictive and analytical framework in Jyotish.
