We’ve discussed benefics and malefics, the signs, and dignity. Next up are the houses. The 12 houses in an astrology chart represent the 12 areas of life. On the surface, the houses function the same way in both traditional and modern astrology. A planet’s house placement determines where in a person’s life that planet’s energy manifests. [1] For example, someone with Jupiter in the 9th house experiences growth and abundance through unfamiliar situations. So, they might spend extended time pursuing higher education or move far from their place of origin.
Where traditional and modern astrology part ways, is a planet’s house placement is the dominant way modern astrologers use the houses. In traditional astrology, there is much more emphasis on the houses a planet rules. Each house is ruled by a zodiac sign—12 houses for 12 signs. The planet that rules the sign on the house has the final say in how that topic turns out for the native.[2] For example, Mars rules Aries and Scorpio. So whatever houses are ruled by Aries and Scorpio, Mars determines the outcome. This is where planetary condition, sign, and dignity become important. A benefic planet in good condition, means the house(s) they rule can be areas of strength. A malefic planet in bad condition means that they house(s) they rule will be challenging.
Modern astrology nearly exclusively focuses on the house a planet is placed in. And since there are only 7 traditional planets, even adding Uranus, Neptune and Pluto only makes 10 planets for 12 houses. Every chart will have empty houses. [3] But because modern astrology does not pay much attention to house rulerships, many are left thinking those areas won’t be important in their life. Its why people commonly say: “I don’t have planets in my 7th house, does that mean I won’t get married?” Or “I don’t have planets in the 10th house, does that mean I won’t have a career?” An empty house does not mean that area of life is not important. For all 12 houses with planets and without, delineation of the outcome of the life topic comes primarily from the planet that rules it, it’s condition, sign and house placement. And because there are fortunate and unfortunate houses, a planet, even a malefic like Mars or Saturn in a strong house such as the 1st house or 10th house can be a source of strength. But a planet in an unfortunate house such as the 6th house or 12th house can increase the difficulty of those topics.
Just as planets are judged as either benefic or malefic, so too are the houses. In a natal chart, you judge the fortune or misfortune of a house according to three factors. Two of the factors are universal: (1) angularity and (2) aspect to the ascendant. There are three types of angularity: angular, succedent and cadent. Houses on the angles, 1st house, 4th house, 7th house, and 10th house are the strongest houses. Planets placed in any of these houses have a lot of power. Succedent houses come after angular houses and are the 2nd house, 5th house, 8th house, and 11th house. Planets placed here are considered middling—of moderate power. Cadent houses are 3rd house, 6th house, 9th house, and 12th house and are said to be “falling away” from the angles, thus planets here are weak. The second factor is whether a house is configured to the ascendant. This is important because the ascendant is the beginning of all things, including life. It is the anchor for an individual. The 6th house, 8th house, and 12th house do not aspect the Ascendant and is why they contain unfortunate topics.[4] There is debate about the 2nd house. It does not aspect the Ascendant and for that reason some traditional astrologers count it as an unfortunate house. Other astrologers say it isn’t an unfortunate house since it rules accumulation of assets. [5]
To reiterate, the first two factors are universal in every chart. Where each chart is unique are the aspects the house receives from the planets, particularly the planet that rules it. A house containing Mars or Saturn, or a house that is in opposition to or squared by Mars or Saturn will be more challenging compared to a house containing Venus or Jupiter, or that receives a trine or sextile from them. [6]
Things get interesting in a house with more than one planet. There are multiple methods to delineate which, if any planet predominates but regardless, the individual feels the influence of those planetary energies in that life topic. [7]
As always, we have examples. Let’s start with something simple.
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex has been married twice with an empty 7H house. Her first marriage was short lived, lasting only two years. Her second marriage to Prince Harry of the United Kingdom made her a household name, taking her from a relatively anonymous TV actress and humanitarian to one of the most recognizable people in the world. From the moment her relationship with Prince Harry became public, she’s faced relentless attacks from the British press, racist and misogynistic hatred online and constant intrusion into her personal life. Meghan, Prince Harry and their children recently returned to live in the U.K. as private citizens. But during her six years in California, Meghan launched award winning podcasts, a successful lifestyle brand known as As Ever, and she and Prince Harry are considered one of the most glamourous couples in the world. But the Sussex family continue to be targets of online and physical harassment and require 24/7 security. This is reflected in the astrology of her 7th house. Capricorn rules her 7th house meaning Saturn is its lord. Saturn brings obstacles and hardships that she must endure. Meghan continues to endure hostile press coverage in Britain and irrational hatred on social media. In addition, the 7th house itself is opposed by a fallen Mars (hostility), with a trine from a fallen Venus (beauty/envy), and is squared by Jupiter (expansion) and an exalted Saturn (obstacles). Even though Jupiter is a benefic, it brought expansion with tension, as seen here.
Serena Williams is another example of an empty house being very active—this time in the 2nd house of assets. At first glance this is another example of an empty house still being important. She’s amassed a $400M fortune, mostly outside tennis. Her 2nd house of assets is ruled by Mercury which sits in her unfortunate 6H of injuries but is ruled by Venus in Scorpio in the 7th house of partnerships. The bulk of Serena’s fortune comes from partnerships, endorsements, and her business empire which includes sports ownership, venture capital, wellness and fashion—all things ruled by Venus, giving the planet tremendous influence in how assets, injuries, and relationships all play out.
Additionally, Venus rules the 6th house which contains the Sun (life purpose), Mercury (communication), Saturn (longevity) and Jupiter (growth). Sports has dominated much of her life, as have injuries and health conditions—also 6th house. The planet’s mixed condition: angular benefic in detriment still manifests positive events concerning the things it rules even if mixed in quality. Finally, the 6th house is important because of all the planets it contains, but since Venus rules the 6th house and rules Mercury, which rules her 2nd house, the planet impacts her assets, health conditions and relationships. Given the way her life has played out, Venus is arguably one of the most significant planets in her chart.
Finally, we look to entertainer Halle Bailey’s chart to see the impact of a benefic planet ruling an unfortunate house. Her biggest role to date was Ariel in Disney’s live action remake of The Little Mermaid. It dramatically increased her profile as a singer and actress, but her casting also resulted in a tidal wave of criticism and anti-Black racism. Her 10th house of public success is ruled by benefic Jupiter which is in the unfortunate 12th house and has malefics Mars and Saturn on both sides—known as besiegement. It also has no dignity and is considered a foreigner in a foreign land. Jupiter is the final arbiter in Halle’s public success and here it faces considerable challenges. This is also a good example of planets in the house using the house topics to express themselves. Halle Bailey’s 10th house contains Mercury (singing) and Venus (the screen). Her chart contains a planet that brings positive events but cannot protect Halle from the challenges that come with it.
Houses with planets get significant attention in modern astrology, but only focusing on that overlooks much of the story and is incomplete. Empty houses have just as much to say, and often many times more, because of the houses and planets they rule. Put together with condition and dignity, each chart has a unique mix of planetary forces playing out that requires detailed analysis to understand. A debilitated planet doesn’t negate a positive outcome, nor does a dignified planet guarantee easy street. In most charts as in life, there is a mix of successes and challenges.
The next post explores how to put everything we’ve discussed together in natal promise—what a chart promises a native and what it does not.
Works Cited
[1] Demetra George. Ancient Astrology In Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume II. Rubedo Press, 2022. pp. 841-843
[2] Ancient Astrology, Vol II, p. 879
[3] Ancient Astrology, Vol II, p. 895
[4] Ancient Astrology, Vol II, pp. 829-831
[5] Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro. On The Heavenly Spheres: A Treatise on Traditional Astrology. American Federation of Astrologers, 2010. p. 94
[6] Ancient Astrology, Vol II, p. 830
[7] Ancient Astrology, Vol II, pp. 891-892