The Houses or the Divisions of Heaven are used to map out the position of the Zodiac signs, Planets, aspects and Parts as well as other minor things. Each chart is cast at a certain time and during these specific times specific lines are dawn to divide the chart into sections. This treatise will explain the construction of the chart and the House system.
The whole sphere of the Heaven is divided into four parts by the Meridian and Horizon, the beginning of the which parts are called the Angles or chief points of the Heaven. By these chief points or angles are understood the four angles of the ecliptic line, the which touch the Meridian as well at mid day(MC), as at midnight(IC) and the Horizon as well at the rising(ASC) and setting(DSC) of the Sun. These principle angles are the cusps or beginning of the first (East), fourth(North), seventh(West) and tenth (South) Houses. The Houses are further divided into 3 quadrants between the 4 principle angles. Following the angles are the succeeding Houses or called the Succedants because they follow after the angles. After this cusp there is the Cadent House, or the falling House in which comes before the next angle. The cycle is as follows, Angle, Succedant, Cadent, Angle, Succedant, Cadent and further four times in total.
Angles are the chief and powerful, for in them the Planets do more evidently express their influence. The Succedent are indifferent between the Angles and Cadents. The Cadents are inferior and abject places; for in them the Planets are weakened. In judgment of the times Angles signify years, Succedent months and Cadent days. As if in any Nativity, the signifier of life be strong in angles, it promiseth health and long life. The most powerful and benevolent Houes follow in this order, 10th, 1st (sometimes reversed depending on the author), 11th, 7th, 4th, 5th, 2nd, 9th, 3rd, 8th, 6th and the 12th House the most malevolent.
The first quarter is taken from the beginning of the cusp of the Ascendant, unto the cusp of the 10th House (traveling reverse) and is called the quarter Oriental ascending. It is attributed to childhood, is masculine, Sanguine, represents Spring and it containeth the 12th 11th and 10th Houses. The second quarter is between the cusps of the 10th and 7th House, & is called the Meridian quarter, descending youth, feminine, Choleric, representing Summer and it possesseth the 9th, 8th, and 7th Houses. The third quarter is from the 7th House unto the cusp of the 4th, and is called the occidental quarter, descending, manhood, masculine, Melancholy, autumn and it includeth the 6th, 5th and 4th Houses.
The first House signifieth the life, nourishment, the disposition of the body of the spirit and complexion. It representeth the head, face, brain, ears, and nose, and is called, Horoscope angle, adorning and ascending. The color of this House must be made white.
The second House signifieth goods, traffic, riches, gain, companies to get profit & gain men that help to gain. It signifieth also gold and silver and all movable goods. It is called the House succedant to the Ascendant and beneath the earth. It reigneth over the neck. The color of this House must be made saffron.
The third House denoteth the brethren, sisters, cousins, allies and little voyages. It representeth the liver, divinations of dreams and is called the House cadent of the Ascendant. Otherwise goodness and hath government over the shoulders and arms. The color of this House must be made honey colored.
The fourth House signifieth the fathers and parents possessions, inheritances, houses, fields, orchards, vineyards laboring, wood and other goods & movables, treasure and goods hidden, mineral matters, prisons and obscure places and in the end all things. It representeth that which cometh after death and the grave and good report. It is called the angle of the earth and the depth thereof. It reigneth over the breast and lungs. The color of this House must be made green.
The fifth House signifieth infancy and daughters, nephews, gifts, presents, pleasures, voluptuousness, ornaments, bravery, dancing, plays, banqueting, messengers, gold and silver, the riches of the father, and the profit of inheritances, possessions, tillage. It is called the House succedant to the fourth and otherwise good fortune. It reigneth over the heart and stomach. The color of this House must be made saffron.
The sixth House denoteth servants, sickness, wild beasts, riding, hunting of and by dogs, sheep and muttons, goat and pulleine and hath some signification over prisons, unjustice, and false accusations. It is called the House cadent of the fourth, and otherwise evil fortune, and hath government over the belly and bowels. The color of this House must be made honey colored.
The seventh House denoteth marriage, wives, suits, quarrels, strife, debate, known enmity, and men appertaining to gain profit. It signifieth age and strange places. It is called the angle of the Occident and reign over the reines and loins. The color of this House must be made white.
The eighth House signifieth sadness, envy, long torments, the quality of death, dowry with wives, inheritances, and other benefit provided by parents and those that belong to gain, riches of the which one hath not greatly thought. It is called the House succedent to the angle occidental and otherwise is entreated on high. It governeth the parts of generation and buttocks. The color of this House must be made red.
The ninth, long voyages, long pilgrimages and navigations, faith, religion, sacrifices, ceremonies, science, wisdom, divination of dreams, prodigious interpretation, new sects, paradoxes, signs of Heaven and divine punishment. It is called the House cadent of the angle occidental and otherwise the house of God. It governeth the hips. The color of this House must be made black.
The tenth signifieth honor, dignities, offices, Magistrates, administrations, government, rulers, conductors, good renown, estimation, profession, action and the mother. It is called the middle and heart of Heaven, the Meridian point and angle Meridian. It guardeth and governeth the knees. The color of this House must be made green.
The eleventh House signifieth friends, companions, hope, confidence, favor, help, succor, praise, estimation and renown, counsel of friends. It is called the House succedent to the angle Meridonial and otherwise called the good angle or good spirit. It governeth the legs. The color of this House must be made red.
The twelfth House signifieth hidden enemies, prisons, captivity, bondage, sadness, torment, complaint, lamentation, tears and hate, treason, villainies, horses and great beasts of like and just proportion. It is called the House cadent of the angle Meridonial & otherwise called the evil spirit. It governeth the feet. The color of this House must be made black.
