The 5th House is succedant from the Angle of the earth and its primary signification is over children in general, women with children, and the sex of an unborn baby. Before our modern era it was impossible to determine the sex of a child before birth and the Astrological method was quite important, especially where males were preferred to females due to their abilities to inherit governments and take on trades and professions for their families. With this method the ancient and traditional authors set up many rules concerning determining not only the sex of the child but the amount of children one would have (whether in their life or at one pregnancy). It is important to remember that the most accurate chart to read concerning the sex of the child is the chart from the hour of conception for this will tell the sex of the specific child rather then the inclination of the Native to produce a certain sex of a children. However since the child receives its fabric from the matter of the woman (and man) much of the sex determination comes from the Nativity of the woman (and man if possible).
The method in which to determine this is taken from the signs and Planets placed in 5th House or aspecting the Lord of the 5th. Each Sign is either Masculine or Feminine and if the cusp of the 5th falls on a masculine Sign it should be noted. Following that, if the Lord of the 5th is also masculine note that as well and analyze the sign in which the Lord of the 5th is placed and its dispositor. If all of these significators be masculine and in masculine Signs, determine the natural inclination of the woman is to give birth to males. If there are male and female significators then see which has the greater number. If masculine has the greatest ratio but there are a few female significators, interpret that the woman will, if she has more then one child, have the ratio predicted by the significators, or she will have more males to females. If she only has one child, it is more probable that she will have a male. If these significators are equal, she will have equal chances of both male and female and her inclination will not only to naturally have these but also seek to "even out" the sex ratio of her children. The fathers Nativity should also be analyzed following the same method. By matching the ratios between the mother and father it will show the probability of giving birth to a certain sex when both parents procreate. It is important to note here, that if women have children out of wedlock, then there is no need to consider anything else, however, children conceived after marriage should be signified by the 11th House (5th from the 7th) rather than the 5th, as it is stated above, the 5th House has general signification of children. If there is a special circumstance such as that, it needs to be factored into the equation or the results will be incorrect.
Some women (or men) find it difficult to conceive a child, either with a specific partner or with their spouse. While some couples easily produce multiple children. To determine the fertility or barrenness of the Father and Mother the aforesaid significators need to be considered which relate to the sex of the child but instead of sex, the astrologer must look to whether the sign or Planet is considered either fertile or barren. The higher ratio of fertile Signs and Planets found in association with the 5th House (or 11th if through marriage) the greater chances that the woman will conceive a child. If the male has more barren signs in the signified places, and the woman fertile, the man is to blame for the inability to conceive and vice versa if the woman has that impediment. However it should be state that those with barren Signs sometimes do not even desire to have children. Many Planets found in this House can signify many children to the Native, especially if they are fertile. Finally, concerning twins, if the significators as aforementioned are in double bodied Signs, the Native can expect to produce twins or more. Both parents who have strong double-bodied significators shows many children and twins by the coupling of the two individuals.
The state of the Natives children can also be read from the 5th House. By looking at the aforesaid significators whether they be benevolent, malevolent, good or ill placed signifies the state of the child. The sign on the cusp of the 5th House would become the Ascendant of the children and therefore the state of the child will follow that. But moving on from children the 5th House also has many other significators.
Banquets, parties, feasting, food and drink and pleasures are also signified by the 5th House. Whether the Native will be gluttonous or reserved with regards to these significators is up to the placements of its Lord and Planets placed or aspected to the 5th or Lord of the 5th. There is some slight confusion regarding the term "drink". Traditionally it universally represented an alcoholic beverage, specifically those of wine or ale. Therefore this House can become a prime significator of alcoholism and those who abuse alcohol. The Lord of the 5th placed in the 8th malevolently aspected or ill placed can show death by overmuch pleasure, with regards to over eating or over drinking.
There has been quite a confusion with regards to this House and the significator of "Plays", while the contemporary interpretation of this word leads us to the belief that it regards acting and theater, when interpreting this we need to use the archaic definition of the word "play", which has nothing to do with acting but gambling. Plays being the root word of players or a gamester. Someone who gambles or wastes their money foolishly in gambling can be seen by this House. The lord of the 4th in the 5th, especially with regards to Mars, can show one who foolishly gambles and wastes away his estate from his father on vanities. The 5th House having also rulership over venereal pleasures rules over sexual activities as well. Planets which rule over diseases, especially over venereal diseases being found debilitated and afflicted in this House can lead to diseases coming from sex and other pleasurable activities (foods as well). Sports and recreation are also signified by this House and injuries that will occur from sports can also be subject to this House.
General
The House is called by the Latins Bona fortuna because of its fortunate abilities, being trined from the Ascendant and therefore very fortunate. It is succedant and a masculine House ruling over the heart and back of man. Its colors are of black and white and its cosignificators are Leo and Venus.
Mundane
The 5th House deals exclusively with the state of the peoples mirth and happiness in the Kingdom or Country, whether they are stern or opulent with regards to pleasure and pleasure seeking. It shows where the People invest their money concerning pleasures and sports. It also shows the types of sports that are popular in any Country. With this House being in an feral sign shows pleasures gained through hunting wild beasts, those in bestial signs sports and recreations concerning small animals, such as dog racing. The cusp in human signs signifies sports primarily partaken by humans and competitions. If the cusp be found in Sagittarius in the first 15 degrees, consider the past times and sports to be with regards to humans, if in the latter 15 degrees, that of Horses. This House also shows Ambassadors of any Country and their ability to do their jobs.
