by Completion of the pure potentialities expressed by the cross of incarnation
Continuing the previous post’s lesson, let’s discuss the tripartition of the quadrants and its resulting categorisations.
The Angular Houses
In the symbolism of the cross, the angular houses are based on the axes of the incarnation cross. The 1st and 7th Houses represent how we reveal ourselves through others. They create a space of representation in which we recognise ourselves and each other. This is why the Ascendant represents our personality and mask, i.e., how we appear to others. On the other hand, the Imum Coeli – Midheaven axis refers to the vertical dimension of our existence or the inner and outer ways of responding to our perception of ourselves and others. It’s important to understand that isolating the meaning of axes, quadrants, and hemispheres is impossible without considering their mutual interaction. At their point of intersection, we encounter intuition, perception, sensation, and intellect, which revolve around the unmoved mover. This is the reason for individual epiphany.
The Succedent Houses
The Succedent Houses, which include the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th Houses, react to the Angular Houses and their immediate sphere of influence. The outcome of the action depends on whether the focus is on the angular factor and whether self-awareness is maintained during the expressive act. If so, the result is the agent’s harmonious and comprehensive expression. However, if creation takes over and claims independence, the divisive aspects prevail, leading the individual to become controlled by their actions. The relationship between Angular and Succedent Houses is crucial to understanding this dynamic:
- 1st to 2nd House: One’s self-awareness is strengthened by inheriting earthly resources. Individuals can use their intuition to cultivate these resources or become overly materialistic if not careful.
- 4th to 5th House: One’s innate potential creatively manifest through unique actions and thoughts, reflecting inner confidence and stability. However, lacking this foundation, one may waste their energy on self-centred pursuits without any meaningful purpose.
- 7th to 8th House: One’s consciousness of others evolves into a more intimate emotional connection as individual barriers are sacrificed. However, failure to offer oneself to others can negatively impact relationships.
- 10th to 11th House: It means finding fulfilment beyond the individual level and into a social context. This is achieved through aspiring towards projects and developments that have evolutionary potential. However, if these aspirations become too idealistic, they may lose touch with reality.
The Cadent Houses
The Cadent Houses, which include the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses, symbolise the blending of the preceding two houses. These houses represent the fusion of the Angular House’s foundational nature with the Succedent House’s communicative aspect. As a result, the idea of unity expressed in the Angular House is recreated, but on a more specific level. This is achieved through our effective or deceptive method of integrating the formative impulse of the preceding houses.
- 2nd to 3rd House: It represents the connection between oneself and genetic and material inheritance. This is developed through the nervous system and can also be seen in familial relationships (brothers and sisters) or short-range connections such as with neighbours and during short trips. However, suppose too much emphasis is placed on hereditary and material aspects at the expense of self-development. In that case, it can lead to an imbalanced psyche and challenging relationships with the environment.
- 5th to 6th House: The individual’s ability to express their inner potential efficiently becomes apparent. They develop a daily routine that is well-suited to their surroundings and meets their needs. However, if the ego becomes predominant, it can lead to conflicts and psychophysical imbalances, ultimately resulting in illness.
- 8th to 9th House: A potential for transformation that arises from the acceptance of relationships pushes towards an expansion of consciousness no longer limited by individual boundaries, free internally to overcome the habitual terms of thought and externally to increase knowledge of the world, for example, by travelling. However, this transformative experience can become painful and destructive if one struggles to manage relationships. It may result in a problematic catharsis.
- 11th to 12th House: It represents the culmination of personal goals and aspirations, leading to a period of change characterised by a transformation into a more selfless and noble personality. On the downside, having high hopes and ideals may prove futile, resulting in being trapped in a monotonous existence or returning to old patterns until a fresh perspective emerges.
By dividing quadrants into three parts, we express the Trinitarian symbol of presenting the One in multiple forms. In terms of personal growth, identifying which planetary configurations dominate in each sector can guide us in improving the areas that need work to achieve a harmonious expression of ourselves.
The sequence of the 12 Houses
Rudhyar suggests an association between the houses and their meaning from the point of view of transpersonal astrology. (compared to the original, the contents have been reworked):
- 1st House. The Sower. Destiny’s force and the emergence of self-awareness.
- 2nd House. The Soil. The genetic and material inheritance on which destiny is shaped. The fruition of the physical substance. Wealth, possession.
- 3rd House. The Seed. A nucleus of synthesis is formed between the self and sensory impressions, giving rise to the first relationship structure with the surrounding environment – the formative intellect.
- 4th House. The Soul. The influence of destiny is shaped according to the model brought by the father figure.
- 5th House. The individual. The individual’s ability to express freely. It also relates to procreation and recreation.
- 6th House. The Harvest. The correlation between individuals and their surroundings determines their daily routine, work productivity, and overall physical and mental health. However, if this connection is disrupted, it may lead to conflicts and imbalances, resulting in illness.
- 7th House. The Exchange. The individual’s growth leads to acknowledging the importance of others as a complementary part of their evolution — a point of balance between oneself and others.
- 8th House. The Transmutation. The symbolic death of the individual paves the way for a higher rebirth through mutual human exchange and the cessation of forms.
- 9th House. The Preparation. In the solitude of self-reflection, ideas and blueprints emerge, paving the way for the development of an enlightened individual capable of abstract thinking and adept at navigating social and collective structures – a time for preparation and growth towards higher states of consciousness.
- 10th House. The Fulfilment. The individual reaches their formative peak and realises themselves in social situations. The influence of the mother, who carries a larger frame of reference, such as the national soul, plays a significant role in this realisation.
- 11th House. The Overcoming. Social interactions take on a new significance in relationships, paving the way for novel forms of social and friendly connections. It also promotes a broader perspective on societal ideals that transcends traditional frameworks.
- 12th House. The Liberation. Liberation and the fulfilment of destiny. At this point, two paths are presented. One leads to succumbing to societal pressures and unresolved issues, resulting in a limited expression of one’s personality due to a misinterpretation of destiny. The other path involves confronting these limiting forces through willpower and sacrifice, freeing one’s individuality from existential inertia. This results in the resolution of karma and the dissolution of inner rhythms, allowing new forms of vibration to emerge.
The latter approach has evolutionary rather than merely judicial significance. The Houses transform from static and geometric to states of transition that help unlock the intuitive and formative potential expressed by the angular axes in personal, social, and spiritual representation. The quadrants are split into three parts to make the evolutionary process more stable and recognisable in daily life. This does not mean isolating the various moments as if they were monads insensitive to external solicitations; The transition and fixation of experiences can work together in the renewal process, preserving the symbolic meanings of underlying configurations while offering representation that matures over time.
The compromise of the Astrological House System
The domification calculation involves a balancing act between two reference systems – equatorial and ecliptic – projected onto the local celestial sphere. Placidus’ house system, which astrologers widely accept, requires a specific arrangement to accurately represent the ascensional difference of signs in relation to the latitude of the observation site on the two-dimensional horoscope chart. This results in a structure where the longitudinal distance between angular axes differs from the ideal 90 degrees due to the inclination of the equatorial axis compared to the ecliptic axis (except in two moments of the day when the equinoctial points intersect the East-West line on the horizon at 0 degrees Aries and 0 degrees Libra). This circumstance affects even the inter-mediate houses. In latitudes beyond the Arctic Circle (approximately 66 degrees north and south), the system faces a critical state, especially during winter when the sun does not rise, and the maximum culmination point (the Midheaven) falls below the horizon. Many solutions have been proposed to address the weaknesses inherent in various systems, but none have gained unanimous approval.
The concept of domification in astrology is a topic that elicits mixed reactions due to its attempt to represent three-dimensional relationships on a two-dimensional graph. However, astrology is essentially the interpretation of a complex symbolism that seeks to unite the perspectives of the questioner and the responder. As such, each interpreter can utilise the domification approach that best aligns with their viewpoint. In this way, the potential meanings of the planetary positions along the ecliptic can be expressed through the observer’s (the astrologer’s) consciousness. This allows the astrologer to freely explore and understand the connections that are presented to them in a profoundly personal way.
Bibliography
Dane Rudhyar – The Practice of Astrology – Boulder 1978
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