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Astrologer's Notes:
AstroDPsychology:A Synthesis |
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A Narrative Approach
to House Meanings
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by Glenn Perry, Ph.D., MFT |
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Because every chart tells a story, every person is a story. It follows that analysis of the astrological chart is best achieved by utilizing a narrative metaphor. Planets are characters; zodiacal signs are the root motivations that compel behavior; aspects signify the qualities of relationship that occur between characters; and houses provide a stage or setting within which actions occur. It is this latter concept, houses as settings, which we will explore in greater detail here.
Perhaps the simplest way of describing houses is that they represent environmental contexts for the expression of planetary functions. In the most general sense, an environment is the totality of circumstances surrounding and affecting an organism. Astrologically, we can subdivide this totality into twelve, interdependent sets, or developmental stages, which are predominant during specific periods of the life cycle. From a psychological perspective, houses signify conditions that influence the growth and development of the psyche.
Just as signs correspond to a twelve-fold division of the earth’s orbit about the Sun, so houses derive from a twelve-fold division of the earth's rotation on its axis. Accordingly, the structure of astrological houses parallels the organization of the zodiac. Each house represents a two-hour phase of the twenty-four hour daily cycle. The first house corresponds to the first sign of the zodiac, the second house to the second sign of the zodiac, the third to the third sign, and so on throughout the twelve signs. The psychological meanings of the houses parallel in physical circumstances the more abstract meanings of the signs to which they correspond. Houses, in short, represent departments of life experience. They are the mundane derivatives of sign principles, i.e., the situational, experiential, or earthly manifestation of that archetype.
The meaning of the circumstances and activities that belong to a particular house are closely associated with the sign that corresponds to that house. Such circumstances provide a vehicle for the fulfillment of the need(s) symbolized by that houses' ruling sign-planet system. Consider the 5th house, which corresponds to the fifth sign, Leo—the need for validation and approval. The 5th house simply represents those types of experiences through which Leonian needs are most easily and readily satisfied. 5th house experiences are all of a similar type or quality: courtship and romance, all forms of creativ?ity and self-expression, theater, play, parties, recreation, hobbies, fun and games, sports, children, and gambling. All of these activities, in one form or another, provide a vehicle for satisfaction of Leonian needs for creative self-expression and validation of identity.
From a narrative perspective, a house is similar to what is commonly referred to as the “setting” in a play or story. A setting is the location in time and space of the physical background of the action. The actors in our life drama, of course, are the planets. A planet in a house is like an actor upon a stage. The psychological function of that planet -- the role it plays in the life drama -- is most noticeably expressed within the circumstances of the house it tenants. The Sun, for example, will perform the role of “hero” or “ego” within the context of the house it occupies.
The proper function of a setting is to help motivate action. The same is true in astrology. A planet’s character is revealed through its potential for certain kinds of action, both good and bad. Houses provide types of circumstances that bring out planetary potentials. If Saturn is in the 9th house, for example, one may be motivated to build and perfect a theoretical model since the pursuit of meaning is a natural 9th house activity.
Because planets have relationships with one another (aspects), just like characters in a drama, houses constitute the stages upon which characters play out their roles. For example, if we place Venus in “the underworld” (8th house), put it in hard aspect to Saturn, and surround it with all sorts of dangerous and evil 8th house figures (rapists, criminals, gangsters), it may be motivated to reform its environment in order to keep from being destroyed by it. Since Saturn may predispose this Venus to feel undeserving of a positive, fulfilling relationship, perhaps the native falls in love with a criminal and must work hard to regenerate within herself, and within her partner, a capacity for love. In this manner, both aspects and house settings are central to the meaning of Venus' role in the larger story.
Each house has a certain atmosphere, which is a loose metaphor for the total mood of a setting. A house, in effect, symbolizes an environment replete with characters, props, mood, and events. The 10th house, for example, presents us with authority figures, limits and rules, a serious mood, and events that center about the pursuit of long term, career goals. The 1st house, on the other hand, is inhabited by fellow combatants in the fight for survival; it is more akin to a battlefield or realm of adventure in which our capacity to survive is tested. First house activities orient around a theme of personal freedom. Can we act decisively in our own self-interest? Can we boldly assert our rights?
Of course, in an actual birthchart, there are twelve possible settings within which the action of the life can unfold. Each house represents a department of experience and forms a context for the expression of the planets that reside in that house. A planet in a house symbolizes a character in an environment, thus a “scene” in the overall story. These characters can be experienced in two ways: objectively as other people, and subjectively as our own attitude and response style to the characters we encounter.
Because houses provide their own characters, a planet in a house helps to define the nature of the characters that normally reside there. The planet, in effect, becomes superimposed over the usual characters of that house. Consider, again, the meaning of Venus in the 8th. Because the 8th house is an area of healing, the usual figures we meet there are often wounded. These include people in crisis, “dark” characters, criminals, underworld figures, prostitutes, and others who in one form or another are mired in pain or shame. Venus, on the other hand, symbolizes a person to whom we are attracted—a potential lover and partner. But if we associate such a person with those who are wounded and in pain, what does this imply about our Venus object?
If someone has Venus in the 8th, she may attract partners who are damaged in their capacity to love; thus, she is apt to experience the usual outcomes that result from this condition -- partners who avoid vulnerability due to a fear of intimacy, or who betray, abuse, and violate her trust sexually or financially. Yet, Venus in the 8th also symbolizes her capacity to trust and love. This is the subjective dimension of Venus. Since any planet that tenants the 8th must be healed, eighth house planets are wounded healers, at least potentially. Accordingly, whomever she attracts will provide her with opportunities for regenerating her (and their) Venus function. If all goes well, her Venus will have a deep, soothing, and curative impact on others.
Another example is Mars in the 10th. Here the “boss” (10th house figure) is likely to be perceived as bold, pioneering, egocentric, perhaps a bit reckless and headstrong, impatient with rules, and so on—all characteristics of Mars. Mars in the 10th also indicates how the native will approach authority figures and respond to people in positions of dominance. Again, the same description applies -- bold, aggressive, reckless, headstrong, impatient with rules, and so on.
From the foregoing, we can see that a planet in a house is going to change or influence what is happening in that house. Planets both define and alter their house environments. Normally the mood of the 10th is serious, conservative, and formal; yet, by placing Mars in the 10th, the mood is considerably altered. Now one’s career becomes a launching pad for a new enterprise, an exciting place where profession becomes an adventure. Mars in the 10th suggests a competitive, spirited approach to goals. Having a career may feel like waging a war -- opponents must be vanquished; one’s courage and mettle is put to the test. Rather than working respectfully within the limits, old ways are challenged and new practices are aggressively advanced. The native approaches goals like a warrior who has to defeat any and all rivals.
Yet, because Mars is notoriously impulsive, one’s career may be marked by an endless series of new beginnings. While good at initiating projects, the native may lack sufficient follow-through to build a solid, enduring foundation for long term success. In other words, the 10th house requires discipline and perseverance, and these are precisely the qualities that Mars lacks. A possible solution would be for the person to choose a career that capitalizes on Mars’ strengths, e.g., a career that requires courage and daring, a bold, enterprising spirit, and that provides ample opportunity for adventure.
When interpreting a planet in a house, try to imagine how each planetary character might behave in the house setting it occupies, both subjectively and objectively. If the Moon is in the 6th, how might the native care for and nurture co-workers? How will Mercury disclose information about behind-the-scene happenings in the 12th? Uranian professors might foment rebellion in the 9th house of higher education. And Neptunian victims could show up as partners in the 7th.
The more planets in a house, the more that setting becomes a central backdrop in the unfoldment of the life drama. For example, many planets in the 8th indicates someone who is going to be preoccupied with woundedness, healing, crisis, sexuality, death, investments, fear, pain, and/or the underworld. If there are lots of planets in the 11th, then group activities and altruistic causes will be highlighted.
In sum, houses can be understood as specific settings that provide a context and platform for planetary actions. Each house signifies a set of circumstances that includes distinctive characters, things, moods, and events, which collectively serve as a catalyst and a vehicle for the fulfillment of planetary need(s). Objectively, planets alter the natural environment of the house they occupy, while also modifying the nature of the characters one encounters in that locale. Subjectively, the challenges of a house are met in a manner that is characterized by the nature of the planets that reside there.
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"Astrology is a religion inasmuch as it reveals the anatomy and psychology of God."
~ Manly Palmer Hall
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Glenn Perry,
Ph.D., MFT
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Glenn Perry, Ph.D., MFT
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Director of the Association for Psychological Astrology
Board Member of the International Society of Astrological Research
Glenn Perry lectures and conducts workshops throughout the world on the application of astrology to the fields of counseling and psychotherapy.
He has written six books, including "Essays In Psychological Astrology".
Dr. Perry is the founder and president of the Academy of AstroPsychology, a masters and doctoral degree program.
For more information:
www.astropsychology
.org
Information on Glenn's books, tapes, and on-line mentorship program can be obtained at:
www.aaperry.com.
E-mail: glenn@aaperry.com
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