The houses are the twelve triangular shaped wedges that are

segmented in a horoscope chart. These charts represent the

circumstances
we can encounter in life - the twelve aspects of being alive. Each
symbolizes a different aspect of human experience. The lines that
separate each of the houses are called cusps.

A sign possesses each house - this is the astrological influence

that was ruling over that segment of the house at your birth.

Here is a brief primer in the meanings of each house.

The First House is at nine o'clock on your chart and starts running
counter clockwise around the base of your chart. This is the sign
that was ascending over the horizon the moment that you were born.
This house is the astrological space that represents the self and
the impression that you make on other people. The sign on the house
cusp, known as the Rising Sign or the Ascendant) describes the way
you dress, move and the overall state of your body and health.

The Second house represents how you handle possessions and material
matters such as money, objects and also the qualities that you may
value in another person.  This is also a house that describes what
you are capable of earning and what you are willing to do to
survive as well. Some astrologers also call the Second House the
"house of self-esteem."

The Third House corresponds to your neighborhood, your local

influences and your daily routines. It symbolizes those activities
that you do without much conscious thought. This house also
symbolizes your education and reveals information about siblings
and other close influences.

The Fourth House is the symbolic house of your heritage and

ancestry. It reveals your habits, your childhood and information
about the parent who reared you. It also rules domesticity and the
way you are likely to decorate your home. This house also describes
how private you are as an individual and your emotional storehouse
of memories that motivate you unconsciously. The Fourth House also
rules whether or not you will buy or sell real estate in your
lifetime.

The Fifth House is the area in your chart that deals with the side
of you that loves to play. Its nickname should be the "Fifth House
of Fun." This house represents the charming, creative and joyful
side of you as well as your hobbies, interests and favorite
pastimes. It is also the house that rules gambling.

The Sixth House describes your body and the side of you that goes
about a daily routine. It is about how well you can "get it
together", your punctuality and your general health. It also refers
to the nature of your work and your work environment. It is also
the house of pets and children.

The Seventh House is a bit of a contradiction. It is traditionally

known as the House of Marriage, Partnerships and Open Enemies. It
is also the house that represents the real you when you are just
alone with a partner. In essence this house describes how you
handle relationships on a one to one basis.

The Eighth House is the house of wealth, crisis management,

marriage and death. It is a very fateful house that can determine
what kind of extremes of success or failure will be in your life.
It is also a house of healing and the planets that influence and
the sign it is in can also represent our ability to heal over a
loss. It can indicate whether or not a person is slow to regenerate
psychically after an injury.

The Ninth House symbolizes the side of you that is a spiritual

adventure. It is also the domain of foreign places, long distance
travel, legal matters, publishing and advertising. It can also
represent your likely perspective on such matters as religion,
politics and philosophy.

The Tenth House is your House of Career. It describes how other

people see you. The status of your career, reputation and social
position are found here. It also describes your abilities as a
leader and how you will behave with authority figures. It also
describes your likely vocation or "life's work.'

The Eleventh House recognizes how you get along with other people;
especially your support systems and peer groups. It also shows what
type of organizations or clubs you are likely drawn to join, the
kind of people you consider to be soul mates and kindred spirits
and how you are likely to behave in social situations. This house
can also reflect social activities and causes that you hold dear.

The Twelfth House reveals the solitary side of your personality and
the vault of secrets in your subconscious mind. It also rules
matters like hospital or medical treatment, death and mortality. It
is also a house of dreams, ideals and illusions that can be
positive or negative depending on what sign the house is in and the
planets that sit inside it.