Editing House (astrology) (section)

==Background==
[[File:Natal Chart -- Adam.svg|300px|thumb|right|In this [[natal chart]], the twelve houses are numbered close to the central circle containing the colored [[Astrological aspect|aspect lines]]; this particular [[horoscope]] uses the Placidus house system.]]

In [[Astrology and the classical elements|astrology]], houses are a fundamental component of the birth chart that represent different areas of life. There are 12 houses, each associated with a specific [[Zodiac Sign|zodiac sign]] and planetary ruler. The 12 houses in Western astrology represent distinct areas of life experience, shaping how planetary energies manifest in an individual's natal chart. Each house reflects a unique aspect of existence, from personal identity to relationships, career, and spirituality. The interpretation of the houses can vary based on different astrological traditions, psychological frameworks, and philosophical approaches.{{sfnmp|1a1=Rudhyar|1y=1972|2a1=Greene|2y=1987|3a1=Arroyo|3y=1989|4a1=Houlding|4y=2006}}

The houses are divisions of the [[ecliptic]] plane (a [[great circle]] containing the Sun's orbit, as seen from the earth), at the time and place of the horoscope in question. They are numbered counter-clockwise from the [[Cusp (astrology)|cusp]] of the first house. Commonly, houses one through six are below the horizon and houses seven through twelve are above the horizon, but some systems may not respect entirely that division (in particular when the [[Ascendant]] does not coincide with the first house's cusp).{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Every house system is dependent on the [[Earth's rotation|rotational movement of Earth]] on its axis, but there is a wide range of approaches to calculating house divisions and different opinions among astrologers over which house system is most accurate.{{sfnp|Hone|1978|pp=281-284}} To calculate the houses, it is necessary to know the exact time, date, and location.{{sfnp|Arroyo|1989}} The several methods of calculating house divisions stem from disagreement over what they mean mathematically (regarding space and time).{{sfnp|Gansten|2023}} All house systems in Western astrology use twelve houses projected on the ecliptic.{{sfnp|Hand|2000}} The differences arise from which [[Fundamental plane (spherical coordinates)|fundamental plane]] is the object of the initial division and whether the divisions represent units of time, or degrees of distance.{{sfnp|Houlding|2006}}

If '''space''' is the basis for house division, the chosen plane is divided into equal arcs of 30° each.  A difference will be made as to whether these divisions are made directly on the ecliptic, or on the [[celestial equator]] or some other great circle, before being projected on the ecliptic.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

If '''time''' is the basis for house division, a difference must be made for whether the houses are based on invariant [[mean solar time|equal hours]] (each house represents 2 hours of the sun's apparent movement each day) or [[hour|temporal hours]] (daytime and night-time divided into six equal parts, but here the temporal hours will vary according to season and latitude.){{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Regardless of these different methods, all house divisions in Western astrology share certain things in common: the twelve house cusps are always projected on the ecliptic; they will all place the cusp of the first house near the eastern horizon and every house cusp is 180° of longitude apart from the sixth following house (1st opposes 7th; 2nd opposes 8th and so on).{{sfnp|DeVore|1948}}