BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SIGNS AND HOUSES

* Introduction *

   With the historical and background information safely behind us, we will now proceed with the core material of astrology - the study of the zodiac, the signs, the houses, planets, etc. - all of the influence of the universe upon our lives.

   You will recall that in Lesson One we compared the signs and houses to a clock. Since this is not always easy to understand at first, let's review it briefly.

   To continue the previous analogy, the houses can best be imagined as the areas on the clock between the numbers. If you were, for example, to divide the 360 degree face of your clock into 12 equal "slices," you would have a "pie" consisting of 12 divisions with each piece consisting of 30 degrees. Now imagine that the numbers of the clock move instead of the hands; as 9:00 o'clock moves up into the 10:00 o'clock position, the slice between 9:00 and 10:00 remains as it was. Similarly, Aries and the other signs move up from their positions in the Ascendant to the next house. The houses are "counted" counter-clockwise, too, beginning with the house just below the horizon (between 8:00 and 9:00 o'clock). As Aries moves to the next house, Taurus moves from the second house to the first, and so on.

   Houses, then, are permanent sections (slices) of sky through which signs and planets move in a perpetual pattern since before man's existence. This method of measuring the Houses is known as the "Equal House Division" Method.

   Popular horoscope columns lead people to believe that there was only one sign under which each person was born. i.e. The Sun sign for the month in which they were born. A true horoscope requires a detailed examination of all the signs, houses and planets at the minute of our birth. Nevertheless, our Sun sign with its many ramifications is one of the most important signs in our horoscope.

   What is the Sun sign and what does it mean? The Sun crosses the celestial equator at approximately the same date each year - March 21st. This is the spring equinox, or the time when there are equal portions of day and night. As the year rolls on, the Sun wanders back and forth over the equator (always, assuming that man is the center), and that is why we say that a person is born under a certain "sign." What people mean is that the Sun was in a certain position or "sign" when the child was born. This has a very profound influence at the time of birth.

   It must be noted, however, that at the time of the birth, some sign was in the Ascendant; the Moon was in a certain position in relation to the Sun; each of the planets was in its particular position on that particular day at that specific time; and the birth took place at a particular longitude and latitude on the earth. This establishes the relationship of everything to the point of birth. In other words, there are a lot of conditions. A sign means an indicator, a portent, a shadowing of things to come. A sign is the outward manifestation of the destiny that is within.

   Those born under a certain Sun sign have definite character traits that are more dominant in that group than in others. But, again, it is a relative thing. The dominance of the Sun traits are modified by the relationships to the "cusp" or dividing line between the houses; by the amount of influence from the Moon and the planets; and by the complicated interaction among them all. The "cusp", although a thin line, marks the day when the Sun enters a new sign. Some years this happens a day earlier or a day later and this is the reason you will notice slight variations in dates listed for signs by same astrologers. Later you will learn that people born on the cusp will be influenced by both signs.

   The legitimate astrologer hesitates to even describe the general characteristics of the Sun signs because individuals say things like, "He's certain to be an aggressive businessman, because he was born under Aries." Nonsense. That person may show a greater tendency toward aggressiveness, especially if he were born near the middle of the sign and with the Ascendant also in Aries; but he could also be born with Gemini in the Ascendant, which would give him artistic qualities. The geography of his birth would play a large part, and so would the position of the other celestial bodies - perhaps enough to cancel out all the traits which make a good businessman!

   We now know, of course, that there are over 100 different known chemical elements, and that fire, water, earth and air do not constitute the earth's original compounds. Early astrologers used these compounds as symbols, however, and even today they tend to point up the characteristics of the astrological groups into which man is classified. We can divide the signs and their characteristics in several ways.

    These groupings are discovered by a tripartite division of the zodiac into four groups. This is known as trigon or triplicity.

   Thus we have:

NOTE: If you have been carefully observant you should have noticed that the Sun sign dates vary here from the dates listed in Lesson I. You will also notice a further slight variation in those dates later in this lesson. This was done deliberately to make you aware of the variable time ingress of the Sun into the signs. This is part of fallacy of the general horoscope forecasting. People born on or near the cusp will be in one sign based on some newspaper column type horoscopes and in another for a different newspaper You will learn how to determine the exact ingress of the Sun into a sign with reference to a client's horoscope during this course. You will then make the necessary corrections for each client's actual chart which is not based on generalities but on the exact ingress time for the year of birth in question.

   Another grouping of sign qualities is as follows:

   The cardinal signs are placed at the four points of the astrological compass, corresponding to the directions North, South, East and West. They are said to represent the initiative or active temperament and to partake of the nature of the Ascendant.

   The fixed signs are the powerhouse signs and have been known by various names throughout the centuries. All the names, however, have referred to the executive, unchanging or foundation qualities of an individual. The fixed signs tend to balance and stabilize the other leading signs.

   The mutable signs are the versatile, mediator signs. They represent the ability to bend and to adapt to circumstances. They have been called "Dual" signs because of their ability to reconcile conflicts. Note for example, that Sagittarius is half-man, half-horse, that Gemini includes the twins, and Pisces two fish. Virgo is a female who may bear male offspring.

   Since there are four signs in each of the above groupings, they are known as the Quadruplicities. Another tripart division represents the four seasons, and this grouping is called the Trinities. This grouping divides the zodiac into four sectors of 90 degrees each:

    The following character traits are commonly associated with each of the twelve signs:

* Summary of Signs and Their Aspects *

   A brief summary of the significant characteristics of each of the Sun signs is listed on the following pages. Other common relationships are also listed. This is introductory. In the next two lessons we go into considerable detail.

• Sign of the warrior and pioneer. An Aries is generally energetic, enthusiastic, positive, enterprising and impulsive.
• A fire sign.
• A cardinal sign.
• Sagittarius and Leo are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are amethyst and diamond.
• Color is red.
• Metal is iron.
• Ruled by Mars.

• Sign of the builder or producer. A Taurus is steadfast, systematic and stubborn. He is also kind hearted, persevering and sometimes quite musical.
• A fixed sign.
• An earth sign.
• Capricorn and Virgo are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are emerald and moss-agate.
• Colors are blue and pink.
• Metal is copper.
• Ruled by Venus.

• Sign of the inventor or artist. A Gemini is creative, clever, expressive and versatile. He is also restless and exuberant.
• A mutable sign
• An air sign.
• Aquarius and Libra are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are beryl and aquamarine.
• Color is yellow.
• Metal is quicksilver.
• Ruled by Mercury.

• Sign of the prophet or teacher. A Cancer is sympathetic, sensitive, protective, changeable and easily influenced. At the same time, Cancer is tenacious and patient.
• A cardinal sign.
• A water sign.
• Scorpio and Pisces are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are emerald and moss-agate.
• Color is violet.
• Metal is silver.
• Ruled by the Moon.

• Sign of presidents and kings. A Leo is proud, energetic, authoritative, domineering, generous and trusting.
• A fixed sign.
• A fire sign.
• Sagittarius and Aries are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship and business.
• Gems are diamond and ruby.
• Color is orange.
• Metal is gold.
• Ruled by the Sun.

• Sign of the statesman and manager. A Libra is generally well-balanced, honorable, sympathetic, artistic, alert, just, affectionate and painstaking.
• A cardinal sign.
• An air sign.
• Aquarius and Gemini are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are diamond and opal.
• Color is indigo blue.
• Metal is copper.
• Ruled by Venus.

• Sign of the governor or inspector. A Scorpio is generally independent, passionate, determined and energetic. Scorpio has strong likes and dislikes.
• A fixed sign.
• A water sign.
• Cancer and Pisces are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are topaz and malachite.
• Color is deep red.
• Metal is steel.
• Ruler is Pluto.

• Sign of the sage and counselor. A Sagittarius is restless, impatient, impulsive, candid, generous and extremely curious. Sagittarius loves nature and sports.
• A mutable sign.
• A fire sign.
• Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are turquoise and carbuncle.
• Color is light blue.
• Metal is tin.
• Ruled by Jupiter.

• Sign of the ambassador, scientist or priest. Capricorn is quiet, reserved, persevering, ambitious and diplomatic.
• A cardinal sign.
• An earth sign.
• Taurus and Virgo are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship and business.
• Gems are white onyx and moonstone.
• Color is green.
• Metal is lead
• Ruled by Saturn.

• Sign of the scientist or seeker of truth.
• A fixed sign.
• An air sign.
• Libra and Gemini are harmonious signs for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are sapphire and opal.
• Color is sky blue.
• Metal is uranium.
• Ruled by Uranus.

• Sign of the poet or interpreter. A Pisces is kind and gentle. Pisces is also sensitive, retiring, often unlucky and melancholy.
• A mutable sign.
• A water sign.
• Cancer and Scorpio are harmonious for marriage, friendship or business.
• Gems are moonstone and chrysolite.
• Color is aquamarine.
• Metal is tin.
• Ruled by Neptune.

   As discussed above, the houses are divided into twelve celestial segments, beginning with the First House just below the eastern horizon, and progressing counter clockwise to the Twelfth House, which is just above the eastern horizon. The First House corresponds with Aries on the zodiac, and the Twelfth House with Pisces. But remember the houses remain stationary and the signs move through them. When discussing the houses, we must locate the Midheaven, which is the point in the sky directly above the observer. It is called the "Medium Coeli" in Latin but we only mention that so you will understand the abbreviation for it M. C. The "Imum Coeli" (also Latin) which is directly opposite the Midheaven is abbreviated I. C. The M. C., located on the cusp (or dividing line) of the Ninth and Tenth Houses is the highest spot on the horoscope chart. (To go back to our clock analogy, the Midheaven would be at 12:00 o'clock, the I. C. would be at 6:00 o'clock.

   The influence of the planets on the houses has been observed by astrologers to follow the general pattern below:

* Conclusion *

   The signs of the zodiac and the houses of the heavens are two separate and distinct concepts. The zodiac is in motion as it travels around the earth, as seen by the astrologer's eyes from a fixed earth point of reference. The houses are the fixed man designed sections of the sky through which the signs of the zodiac move. This combination has an immediate effect on an individual at his birth time and a continuing one throughout his life. Some astrologers hold that this initial effect is at the moment of conception, however medicine has demonstrated the tremendous protection of the unborn baby in the mother's womb from all outside influences. As a result the great majority of competent astrologers work with the time of birth when the person is first exposed to the effects of all external things in the universe.

   Understand that you have now only been introduced to some general concepts about the meanings of the houses and signs. In the next two lessons you will be taken through considerable details on the vital principles of the signs.