Chapter Three : Astrological Houses

Modernized Abstracts on the Twelve Astrological Houses from H.L. Cornell's Encyclopedia of Medical Astrology

First House

ASCENDANT—The First House Rising Sign—The Sign rising upon the Eastern horizon at birth. Determines largely the physical appearance, description of the body, height, weight, the degree of vitality, etc., and is very important to study in connection with health and disease.

This is a masculine house and corresponds to the Aries Sign. This First House is a vital center, or part, of the horoscope, and contains the dominant features of the Life that are to be expressed and worked out.

The three vital centers of the map are the Sun, the Moon, and the Ascendant. This house signifies the nature, life, and health of the native, and relates to all questions of life, health, external complaints, appearance, stature, shape, size, colour, body blemishes, and sickness and accidents. It rules the form, constitution, the bodily temperament, the bodily stamina, animal heat, the health, the personality, general characteristics, and indicates the construction and peculiarities of the physical body; rules the head, eyes, and face. It signifies all matters which affect the physical body, the mind, sickness, travel, health, change of residence, birth or death of children, and the fortunes of the native in general, and has significance of the Life of Man.

The physical appearance, description of the body, the strength and vitality of the body, the height, weight, colour of the eyes and hair, etc., are largely determined by the sign and degree rising on the cusp of this house, or the Ascendant.

The 1st house shows the organic elements, the physiological factors, and the physical characteristics which determine the amount of organic resistance, and the strength of the body. It also shows the degree of receptivity to diseases, and which may affect the part of the body ruled by the sign rising.

This house is closely related to the Feelings, Sensations, the Emotions, the Passions, the Manners, the Disposition, the quality of the Mind, etc., according to the nature of the sign rising, signs intercepted in, or partly ruling the Ascendant. The planet ruling the sign on the Ascendant at birth is considered the principal Ruling Planet of the horoscope.

The actual degree rising on the Ascendant at birth is to be considered as though it were a planet in forming judgment of the native as to his mind, body, strength, diseases subject to, etc., and all aspects to this degree are to be noted. The degree on the Ascendant governs the brain, the body, and according to the sign rising gives a predisposition to certain afflictions and diseases of the body.

Planets in the Ascendant together with the planet ruling the rising sign, rule the physical body, and the sign and house position of the ruler of the Ascendant, the aspects to it, and the condition of its disposer, should be considered.

The 1st house rules light colours and white.

Second House

Second House —This House is related to the Taurus Sign, the second sign of the Zodiac. This is a feminine and succedent house. Is known as the House of Finance. It rules the Neck, the back part of the Neck down to the Shoulders; the Vocal Organs; Throat, etc. It denotes the Throat and Ears. In material matters, rules Property, Wealth, and the Financial Condition of the Native.

In Hindu Astrology, the Second House rules the Eyes.

This House signifies all diseases in the throat and neck, quinsy, glandular swellings, sore throat, scrofula, etc.

Rules Green.

Third House

Third house —The House of Brethren, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Neighbors, Short Inland Journeys. This is a masculine and cadent house and is affiliated with Mercury and the Gemini Sign.

Denotes and rules the Neck, Arms, Shoulders, Hands, Fingers, Chest, Lungs, the Lower Mind, Wakefulness or Waking. It also governs the Mental Capacity, and the Educational Mind.

In the Hindu System of Astrology, this house rules the Ears.

Its Colors are Red, Yellow, and Sorrel.

Fourth House

Fourth house — This is a terminal house, a part of the terminal triangle, and denotes old age, the grave, decay, death, rest, the end of life, and the various conditions which affect the close of life, as its diseases, worries, the environment, wealth, poverty, etc.

This house rules the breasts, the milk, lungs, stomach; inheritance, the birthplace, place of residence, the home and domestic life generally; the mother in a male nativity and the father in a female horoscope; the mother-in-law in a male nativity, and the father-in-law in a female.

In Hindu Astrology, this house rules the mother, and the 10th house the father.

Red is the colour ruled by this house.

Fifth House

Fifth house—This is a masculine house, and is closely affiliated with the Sun, the Leo sign and connected to Aquarius and the 11th house.

It is principally the house of children, the creative powers, of women, the state of woman with child, and parturition.

This house rules the back, heart, sides, hind part of the shoulders, the liver, stomach; the appetites, and especially along pleasurable and sexual lines; love affairs, courtship.

This house is also said to rule the Soul.

Its colours are black, white, mixed black and white, sanguine, and honey colour.

Sixth House

Sixth house — This is a feminine house, and is known as the House of Health, and of Sickness, and is affiliated with the 6th Sign, Virgo.

Denotes — This house denotes the Lower Belly, the Solar Plexus, the Intestines, and the Rectum.

Diseases Ruled By — Signifies all diseases in the lower part of the Abdomen, in the Intestines, Liver, and Reins. Also tends to General Ailments.

Rules — The Sixth House Rules the Abdomen, Belly, the inferior part of the Belly and the Intestines, even to the Rectum; the Womb; the Climatic and other conditions affecting the health; Food; Clothing; Ritual; the Colors Black or Dark; the physical Comforts of Life; the Mother’s brothers and sisters in a male horoscope; Aunts and Uncles, and Kindred on the father’s side; Aunts and Uncles in a female nativity, or the Father’s brothers and sisters; General Ailments; Healers; Physicians; Sickness, and the nature of the Sickness.

Colors Ruled By — Dark, or Black.

Seventh House

Seventh house — Known as the Descendant, or Angle of the West. This House is closely affiliated with the Libra Sign, the 7th Sign of the Zodiac, and with Venus, the ruler of this sign. It is known as the House of Marriage, Partnerships, Agreements, Disagreements, Contracts, Litigation, Public and Open Enemies, the Marriage Partner, Sweetheart, Fiance or Fiancee, the Husband in a female nativity, the Wife in a male horoscope. It denotes the Physician or Healer in health matters; gives the description, shape, and condition of the Sweetheart or Marriage Partner; indicates quarrels, contests, this is a masculine house, and positive.

The Colors ruled by this house are Blue, Brown, Black, or Dark Black.

Eighth House

Eighth house — The house of Scorpio, ruled by Mars, and called the House of Death, and denotes the time and manner of death. It is classed as one of the evil houses, along with the 4th, 6th, and 12th Houses. It is a Terminal House, and forms one of the angles of the Terminal Triangle. This being a terminal house, it indicates the end of physical life, the surrendering of soul and body, the transition from the physical to the spiritual. It concerns disease, death, the nature.

It is a feminine house and denotes the Genitals and Sex Organs.

Its Colors are gray and black.

Ninth House

Ninth house — The house of Jupiter and a masculine house. This is the House of Religion, Philosophy, the Higher Mind, Dreams, Dream Consciousness, Visions, Kindred of the Marriage Partner, Long Journeys, Foreign Travel, Voyages, Residence Abroad.

 In the body this House rules the Hips, Thighs, and signifies all diseases in these parts.

Colours are Green and White.

Tenth House

The House of the Midheaven—The M.C.—The Meridian—Medium Coeli—The Zenith, etc.—This House corresponds to the Capricron, and is a feminine house, and is also the house of Saturn. Planets culminate in this house and are strong by accidental dignity if not otherwise in a strong sign, or dignified.

This House rules the Knees, Hams, and Thighs, and signifies all diseases in the knees, and the upper part of the leg behind the knees.

Planets in this house have a powerful influence in matters of health and disease. This house signifies Kings, Rulers, Presidents, Princes, Judges, Magistrates, the Profession, the Employment, Vocation, Business, Honors, Preferment, Fame, Renown. Also signifies the Medicine given in sickness, the credit and honor of the native, and his business standing. In a male nativity, it rules the father, and in a female nativity, the mother, and the affairs of the mother. It also governs the hidden and Occult side of life.

The Colors ruled by this house are Red and White.

Eleventh House

Eleventh house—This House is affiliated with Aquarius, the 11th Sign. It is a masculine house.

It rules the Legs, Calves, Ankles. Also rules Friends, Children, Stepchildren, the Hopes, Wishes and Desires.

 Its Colours are Saffron and Deep Yellow.

Twelfth House

This is the last of the 12 Houses, and is affiliated with Pisces, the 12th Sign of the Zodiac, and with This house is a part of the Terminal Triangle, and is a terminal house, showing the end of life, the death of the Psychic Nature, and refers to the sundering of Soul and Spirit.

Saturn delights in this house, and has his joy here, being the Author of Mischief.

Green is the Colour ruled by this house.

The 12th house denotes the ankles, feet, and toes, and all diseases and hurts incident to them.