the houses The inner rim of the wheel represents the circle of "mundane houses": each of the "spokes" delineates areas of specific environmental influences, called cusps (power points). The houses represent the sorts of circumstances you will have to deal with in this lifetime - challenges you have set yourself, so you may grow in personal understanding and consciousness. Each house is given a number from one to twelve, the first house cusp located at what would be nine o'clock on a clock-face, then, moving anti-clockwise, numbering off around the chart. The Sign rising over the horizon at the time of your birth is called the Ascendant, or Rising Sign. This, the first house of the horoscope, changes approximately every two hours. Even twins born as little as five minutes apart could have different ascendants, which would make a real difference in their horoscopes and so in their personalities. The Rising Sign governs your outer personality and physical attributes. It represents your self-image and, to a considerable extent, how others see you. It also affects your health issues and the type of illnesses you may experience. The second house describes material assets, how you handle monetary income, and the potential ways it may be earned. It also indicates the values and priorities you establish throughout life. Planets in the second house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, the Moon in the second house indicates those who equate money or personal assets with emotional security. Lack of assets can make them feel so insecure and vulnerable that they become extremely conservative or even miserly. However, the behavior many seem to exhibit is impulse buying or spending money as a means of emotional consolation. The third house describes your mental state, intellectual orientation, self-expression and communication, early education, mechanical dexterity and skills, immediate environment (neighborhood), and siblings. It indicates physical actions, and transportation, especially within your immediate environment. To a certain extent the third house also describes the job or health of your mother. Planets in the third house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Mercury in the third house indicates those who are natural communicators. Since communication and transportation are the areas governed by the third house, Mercury's influence here indicates writers, teachers, publishers, salespersons, secretaries, and those involved in community projects, mail delivery, telephones, or other businesses concerned with communication, transportation and travel. The fourth house describes your residence, domestic environment, and family members, especially your father (although it can also strongly indicate the nature of your mother). It indicates the beginning as well as the end of various cycles in your life. Planets in the fourth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Saturn in the fourth house can mean those who are deprived of a parent early in life. It also suggests austerity and strictness that may apply to the personality of one or both parents, to the emotional content of their home, or to physical aspects of their surroundings. Whatever their actual childhood circumstance or family history may be, these individuals harbour great concerns about it. As adults they may be strict and inflexible in their own domestic environment, or be so negative as to dismiss any notion of establishing a home or family. Saturn's positive influence includes those who enjoy very stable family relationships. It also indicates those who live their entire life in the same house or hometown. The fifth house describes your creative talent and imaginative powers, capacity for enjoyment and the pursuit of pleasure, romance, children, and speculative ventures. Planets in the fifth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Mars in the fifth house indicates individuals who concentrate much energy and vitality on creative projects, children, romance, and/or various physical pleasures. This Mars position indicates love of children, and further, implies a high potential for procreation. Long on passion, they may tend to be impatient with the subtle intricacies of romance. Those whose life style does not include bearing children or engaging in romantic adventures themselves may deal with these subjects on a professional or impersonal level, or they may sublimate their energy into other creative and satisfying activities. The energy of fifth house Mars suggests vivid imagination and strong idealistic or spiritualist tendencies The sixth house describes your job, daily responsibilities (paid and unpaid), and those who work for or with you. It also represents your health, and physical fitness. Small animals and the military are two more subjects governed by this house. Planets in the sixth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Moon in the sixth house indicates vulnerability to a continuing variety of medical complaints, especially stomach or digestive disorders. The ailments of these individuals are usually not major threats but can disrupt their work and routine schedules. They are apt to operate a business from their home, or seek jobs related to homes, food, family life, women, or children. They develop mothering instincts and other strong emotional identification toward those who work for or with them. They may work better with women than with men. Work habits may be inconsistent as is their ability to stay in jobs. Their general health and psychological outlook are strongly affected by their work, and when the work environment or responsibilities are upsetting for some reason, inefficiency and absences are the result The seventh house relates to marriage and partnership or joint ventures of any kind. It describes how you interact with people and how others tend to regard you. The seventh house is associated with legal matters, negotiations, contracts, open enemies and all open confrontations, pleasant as well as adversarial. Planets in the seventh house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Sun in the seventh house suggests people-oriented individuals. This angular sun position indicates those whose ego is tied to partnerships, cooperative efforts, and how they relate to other people in general. Even those who are very independent are likely to find that their best achievements are made possible by or with a partner or partners. The eighth house is related to taxes, debt, death, legacies, other people's money (credit; investments; insurances and so on) and the income you receive through your marriage or business partner(s). It describes your resourcefulness, and your ability to develop and use material assets as well as personal skills and abilities, particularly in joint ventures or partnership projects. The eighth house also indicates sexual attitudes and behaviour, your responses to life's mysteries and all matters to do with the end of life. Planets in the eighth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Venus in the eighth house indicates those who tend to be quiet but intense in social environments. There may be an element of mystery or secrecy in sexual encounters. Though it may not be deliberate on their part, they give the appearance of being enigmatic or intriguing to others. The influence of Venus implies the potential for jealousy and possessiveness in sex and romance even when these individuals do not exhibit such traits with regard to other matters. It also indicates financial gain as well as increased social life and status through marriage. The positive side of this Venus house position also indicates remarkable ability to understand the psychology of human motivation and relationships. Negative factors in their personality or background can mean those who marry for the purpose of gain, loss of money or status through marriage, sexually transmitted disease, and neurotic social tendencies. The ninth house describes higher education, advanced training, publishing, publicity, advertising, politics, foreign travel, foreign studies, religious and philosophical views and activities, and cultural pursuits. It relates to court decisions, a second marriage, and in-laws. To a certain extent the ninth house also describes the job or health of your father. Planets in the ninth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Jupiter in the ninth house indicates those with intellectual curiosity, independent attitudes, idealism, and quickness of mind The tenth house, or Mid-Heaven (MC), describes your career and other long-range goals, public reputation, superiors and those in authority. It also relates to your mother and her influence in your life. The MC stands for Medium Coeli, which is Latin for mid-heaven. The mid-heaven degree is that where the Sun reaches its highest point during the day. This degree is usually counted as the cusp of the tenth house. Planets in the tenth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, a well-aspected Sun in Aries in the 10th is ambitious, shows leadership and may indicate a successful career in the military, or other hierarchical organisation, such as the church, or government. The eleventh house rules friendships, organizations to which you belong, and income derived from self-employment or career (as opposed to wages earned from a job). It relates to the role you play in the lives of others as child, parent, lover, spouse, friend, social or business associate. The eleventh house also describes your hopes and aspirations and capacity for happiness. Planets in the eleventh house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, a well-aspected Moon in the eleventh house indicates individuals who are apt to be well liked, optimistic and idealistic. Even those with a strong personality may tend to rely heavily on what their friends and associates think. In turn, they are endlessly involved with the many confidences entrusted to them by these people. Their hopes and aspirations will be tied into their relationships with others, especially in the public arena, so they will be prominent in clubs and other organisations to which they are drawn. The twelfth house describes the private and hidden side of life; your subconscious mind, dreams, the past, and those who wish you harm or work against your interests. The twelfth house relates to sorrow, disappointment, loss, institutions, secret enemies, solitude or confinement, hidden fears and worry. It also has connection with the job or health of your marriage or business partner. Planets in the twelfth house reflect particular facets of these matters; for example, Venus in the twelfth indicates those who enjoy being with other people but may nevertheless be very shy in social environments. Their shyness may develop into serious lack of confidence, and as a result, they fall in love with anyone who pays them the slightest attention. Romantic experiences can trap them in other ways. The positive influence of Venus includes potential for remarkable artistic talent, and uncanny intuition about people as well as relationships. Venus implies those who are wise, compassionate judges or counselors, creative writers, or gifted poets. They are almost certain to experience secret romance. Their lovers or potential marriage partners may be dancers, reside near the ocean, have disabilities or belong to a minority race or culture.