Learn Astrology ( Lesson 22)

The Fifth House (Family and Romance)
 
The Fifth House of the horoscope governs the principle of creation - physical, artistic, and financial. This House is assigned to children and also to things that cause thrills and excitement, such as theatres, entertainment, gambling and speculation. It will show the physical capacity for procreation, whether one is likely to have a large or small family, and the sex which will be likely to predominate. At the same time, in judging matters to do with children it is essential to study the horoscope of both parents for the Fifth House of one may contradict the Fifth House of the other and the indication of a large family in one may be offset by the other.
 
The nature of the Sign on the cusp of the Fifth House is very important for certain Signs are known as fruitful Signs and others as barren Signs.

  FRUITFUL                 BARREN

                                                         Cancer                       Gemini  
                                                         Scorpio                      Leo  
                                                         Pisces                       Virgo
 
The rest of the Signs exercise a more or less normal radiation. Of course there are instances when, even with fruitful Signs on the cusp of the Fifth House, either a small or no family at all occurs. Alternatively, barren Signs on the cusp of the Fifth House do not always deny a family. A great deal will depend on whether or not there is a planet in the Fifth House or the Sign position of the planet ruling the Fifth House.
 
The financial creative power as far as speculation and investment of the native is also tempered by the aspects made to or by any planet in the Fifth House or to or by the planet ruling the Sign on the cusp of Fifth. Good aspects will assist matters to do with money but bad aspects will bring difficulties and accentuate denying vibrations.
 
The artistic expression of the native is determined by the influence of the Fifth House depending, once again, on the Sign and planetary determinants involved.
 
In a Mundane Figure the Fifth House signifies children and their attitude and their complete environment, schools, amusements, sports, etc. It also expresses public speculations and investments and the inclination to receive or pay debts. And since it is the realm of the country's creative and procreative activities, it indicates the probable changes in the birth rate during the period immediately following that for which the Figure is cast. In a National Figure it affects the upper legislative house.
 
In an organization it determines the executive personnel.
 
An important principle of Hindu astrology is that if a planet aspects its own house, that house gets strengthened. This should be seen very closely in the case of the fifth house around which revolves the realization of the potency of mantra, yantra, because this house is important in two ways: in the case of the individual whose horoscope is being examined, it represents the spiritual merit of his past life and in the case of his father, it is the house of his spiritual merit of his present life. It is a good fifth house that bestows viveka or a sense of discrimination and deep spiritual wisdom born both of the reading of scriptures and spirituals practices.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 21)

The Fourth House (Endings)

The Fourth House begins at the point of midnight. For this reason it is assigned to all endings, to old age, and to old people. It also exercises power over the family life into which we are born, i.e., the home life created either by the parents or, in certain instances, the foster parents, or the communal type of home life of an orphanage. Obviously, in the latter instances there will be little if any parental influence. In general the Fourth House defines our environment no matter how often it changes during our lifetime.

The initial phase of the home-life obviously will be broken either by marriage or vocation and a new home image created. Thus, under normal circumstances, a new sequence of domestic conditions are created which can be completely different from those of the parental home due to the influence and desires of the marriage partner. Further changes in these conditions can, again, be set up when a child or children are born. When the vocational aspirations compel a change, they can be of quite a drastic nature. Vocational activity in any field can cause a departure from one set home arrangement to one invariably of a very different character. These domestic or "living" conditions are termed the environment as distinct. from the work or business sphere, and this is the chief function over which the Fourth House rules.

The Sign on the cusp of the Fourth House will show the kind of parental domestic arrangement and family life into which one is born as well as the subsequent changes which are possible in connection with vocation and marriage or the setting up of an independent home.

Note: Remember in a future lesson you will he given a chart demonstrating the particular influence of each sign and each planet as it passes through each House. For the present, however, it is important that your knowledge of the significance of each House develops.

Apart from conditions of environments again depending upon the cusp Sign, the Fourth House has a very dominant rule over the conditions in operation during the closing years of life - the period generally known as "the end of life."

In a Mundane Figure, the Fourth House represents circumstances and events affecting real estate values, mines and the products, buildings, crops, produce and all agricultural interests.

In a National Figure it portrays the characteristics of any governmental opposition, and the time that such opposition may be expected to culminate.

In a court of law the Fourth House defines the efficiency of the jury.
In an organization it signals the real estate investments and the holdings.

The fourth house representing buildings, represents the religious-philanthropic institutions one builds and also the trusts one creates or religious, philanthropic and other good trusts with the money one has.

In the life of an individual the fourth house represents his desire to pursue his spiritual life in the quiet surroundings of a place, house or ashram with rhythmic regularity. In the case of a yogi it can represent pranayama or breath-control. But if such a house is disturbed, such persons find that by moving from one place to another only they can follow their spiritual pursuits.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 20)

The Third House (Travel, Studies, Relatives, Correspondence)

The Third House, ruling over quite a variety of conditions, may be termed "one of the composite" Houses in contradistinction to some of those which concentrate influence on one particular condition. For instance, while the First and Second Houses rule the temperament and finance respectively, the Third House, although exercising chief rule over short and medium distance travel also exerts an influence over personal relatives and all matters pertaining to them. This includes studies, writings, correspondence and all forms of communication excepting the television which is associated with the Ninth House. It is important to note that regarding relatives, the Third House indicates one's own relatives and not those of the marriage or business partner, as the latter come under the influence of the Ninth House.

All forms of travel, rail, road, air, water, fall under the demise of this House. The elemental nature of the Sign which occupies the cusp of this House will, to a great extent, indicate the personal preference toward the particular type of travel which is desired. The Fiery Signs indicate an attraction toward road travel, the Earthy Signs toward rail travel, the Air Signs attract toward air travel and the Watery Signs signal travel by water. It is important to remember that the Third House deals strictly with short and medium distance travel. Long distance travel as such comes under the influence of the Ninth House.

The Third House also signals the synthetizying powers of the mind and its ability to form sense impressions and mold destiny within one's social environment.

The Third House also signifies the type of study which an individual will follow and how much energy he will pour into it.

In a mundane figure the Third House defines all inland transit, traffic and communication and the nature of the public demands upon and the degree of public patronage accorded to the nation's transportation and communication facilities.

In a court of law the Third House influences the court reports.

In an organization it affects the traffic, transits, transportation and communication departments, inter-office communications and the specific information transmitted within the organization.

The third house known as the house of valour and courage becomes favorable if there is a malefic like Rahu, Saturn, Mars, Ketu in it. It shows a determination to apply oneself to spiritual practices with strong will.

Note – The third house, according to Maharshi Parashara, is the house of upadesha or religious preaching.

The third house also is to be seen for short and quick pilgrimages.

According to the Uttrta-kalamrita, the third house represents the part of the palm which is between the thumb and the index finger with which many rituals are performed.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 19)

The Second House

The family environment gives to one some spiritual tendencies, which is what the second house represents, being the house of Kutumba (or the family one is brought up in). Faith in religious and spiritual traditions are inherited and also acquired generally from parents. The second house represents it, besides, also being the house of speech. See the planets (particularly Jupiter, Venus, Mercury) without affliction to examine whether one has the tendency to speak truth or falsehood. The second also being the house of earnings, monetary gains etc., the charity one does with money and gifts are also to be seen from the second house.

Note – In this respect the role of the twelfth house is more important.

The Second House of the horoscope signals the personal financial interests of the native. It specifies the individual's attitudes towards money and it typifies the sources from which money can be obtained by personal effort and the ways in which it can be lost; either through personal extravagance, a wrong handling of affairs, as a result of other conditions intervening or through circumstances or persons associated in some way with the personal life.

It is necessary to point out here that when we talk about money gained or lost we do not mean as a result of speculation or investment for that comes under the influence of the Fifth House. When it is gained or lost through a legacy or an inheritance it is through the influence of the Eighth House. In the Second House we are concerned only with the gain or loss of money through the personal efforts.

The Sign which is on the cusp of the Second House exercises a very powerful radiation as it indicates the natural personal attitude toward financial affairs. It will show whether a person is naturally extravagant or the reverse, with all the intervening ratios. It will indicate the avenues through which money will be gained or lost as a result of personal action, and the people or things associated with such gains or losses. Since liberty depends largely upon the financial success or failure, this can also be referred to as the House of Liberty.

The Second House also stipulates the heredity and social background with which the native is equipped for the pursuit of his destiny. The secretive thoughts and desires of the native find their home in the Second House.

In a Mundane Figure the Second House exerts influence over the nation's wealth, taxation revenue, stocks, bonds, shares, and all places and activities connected in any way with money, such as banks, stock exchanges, trade and commerce. It sheds some influence on taxation but it does not consider the effect of the taxes on the people. It represents the purchasing power of the nation, its national expenditures and receipts, currency and its circulation and liquid assets.

In a National Figure it represents the Treasury.

In an organization it influences the liquid assets and voluntary expenditures and it will determine the ability of the Company to earn profits.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 18)

The Spirituality Associated With Houses

In delineating the effects of each house, the start should again be made with the spiritual promise of each house. By each house from the Lagna which is always the first house. Thus, for a person born with Meena lagna the first house is Meena, the second house Mesha and the twelfth house Kumbha etc.

Since spiritual astrology is generally kept a secret and astrologers do not pay attention to it, emphasis should be laid on this aspect both for the spiritual guidance of the person concerned and for preparation for a fine spiritual era into which mankind will enter after 2002 A.D.

The First House

The first house representing oneself, shows the beginning of awareness of spiritual side of human life. If three or more planets are in the first house, such persons, inspite of all distractions, can practice self-control with determination, and successfully.

From the first house springs the desire to enjoy peace generally and the tendency to renounce because the first stage of renunciation is physical. To understand it, the Four Purusharthas of classical Indian tradition should be understood. The first one is Dharma (religious conduct), the second is Artha (the desire to earn money), the third is the karma to enjoy life physically and the last is Moksha to make efforts to get salvation.

In Hindu astrology therefore starting from the lagna there are four trines for each the purusharthas which are:

Dharma	Artha	Kaama	Moksha
Lagna	Second house	Third house	Fourth house
Fifth house	Sixth house	Seventh house	Eighth house
Ninth house	Tenth house	Eleventh hosue	Twelfth house

There is anther set of four trines which depends on the division of human life into four parts, Brahmacharya (life of celibacy) Grihastha (the life of a householder) Vanaprastha (detaching oneself) from house-holder’s duties) and Sanyas (life of renunciation). The scheme of division is the same as in the earlier trines.

Brahmacharya	Grihastha	Vanaprastha	Sanyas
The first house	Second house	Third house	Fourth house
Fifthe house	Sixth house	Seventh house	Eighth house
Ninth house	Tenth house	Eleventh house	Twelfth house

In judging the spiritual importance of each of these houses, these trines should be kept in the mind.

It is always important to remember that the lagna and lord must not be ill-placed (in the eighth house, the sixth house or the twelfth house) and must not be afflicted by Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu particularly through conjunction or aspect. In such a case the health may be bad. It is sound health that alone ensures any type of achievement in anyone’s life, including spiritual achievements. It is in rare cases that a person with ill health but strong sense of renunciation can be spiritually exalted. But we must proceed on the premise that it is sound health that is the foundation of even good spiritual life.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 17)

The Ketu

It is dry and fiery in nature. Its affliction causes wounds, inflammations, fevers, intestinal disorders, aberrations, low blood pressure, deafness, defective speech and gives emaciated body with prominent veins. It is personified as a saint and inclines a person more towards mystic science and spiritual pursuits.

Ketu is the most baffling planet in astrology, spiritual, divine on the one hand and baffling in a medical sense.

Family – Represents maternal grand-parents (though Uttara Kalamrita takes paternal grand-parents), the slightly unorthodox members of the family.

Society – Ketu is the planet which plays key role in shaping a doctor or other men in semi-medical or alternative systems of medicine. Ketu, combined with other planets, produces inventors, men dealing with subtle secrets of nature around our world.

Notable – Some hints have been given here about the persons represented by different planets some of them are traditional and some of them are additional. For instance Ketu represents languages and linguists. These days when people learn computer it naturally falls under Ketu because there is computer language to be learnt.

Learn Astrology ( Lesson 16)

Rahu

Next to Saturn the most condemned planet is Rahu. Unless astrologers do new researches and see the positive side of these planets, more damage will be done to astrology than has already been done so far.

Rahu is personified as a diplomat and a shadowy planet and a legendary deceptor when disposed beneficially. Indicates diplomatic jobs, jobs requiring manipulations with facts, deals in poisons and drugs. It signifies cheats, pleasure seekers, insincere and immoral acts, etc.

It is phlegmatic in nature and gives malignant growth. When afflicting, causes malignant growth, disease of phlegm, intestines, boils, skin, ulcers, spleen, worms, high blood pressure, etc. It gives smoky and unpleasant appearance due to habits of overeating, resulting in foul smells and unclean body and nails.

Family – Paternal grand-parents (though Uttar Kalamrita also uses Rahu for maternal grand-parents), old, sick person in the family and those that become nonconformist's.

Society – The foreigner, the engineer, the architect, the space engineer, the politician, air hostesses, aeroplane pilots and manifold new technical and semitechnical professions fall in the domain of Rahu.