posted July 07, 2005 07:25 PM              

Over and over again when teaching astrology to beginners I hear the question 'What does it mean if a house is empty?' Some students are very troubled by empty or untenanted houses -- that is, a house in which no planets are found. 'My 5th house is empty - does that mean I won't have any children?'; 'my 3rd house is empty -- does this mean I don't have a mind?'
Because there are only ten planets to go around the twelve houses, invariably certain houses will be untenanted. This does not mean that nothing is happening in that area of life. Nor does it necessarily imply that the area of life in question is unimportant.
Strictly speaking it is incorrect to say that a house is empty. Even through there may be no planets in that house, there is still a sign (or signs) placed there which will influence that sphere of experience. Thus, the first step interpreting what is happening in an untenanted house is to relate the qualities of the sign or signs found there to the area of life associated with the house in question. The second step is to refer to the planet which rules the sign on the cusp of the 'empty' house. What house is the ruling planet in? How is the ruling planet aspected? In this way, we glean a great deal of information about the house in question. The third step is to examine the planet which rules any others signs found in that house (not just the sign on the cusp). Where is that planet by house, sign and aspect?
Obviously, a house with many planets in it s very important, but we should not overlook the significance of so-called empty houses. Should the planet ruling the sign on the cusp of an empty house be the focal point for a particular chart shaping, such as the handle to a bucket type chart of the leading planet of a locomotive shaping, then the affairs of the house in question could figure prominently in the native's life. The empty house might also contain the missing element to a T-square and this would increase the relevance of that area of life in contributing to the overall balance of the person's psyche.

Packed Houses

A house may contain more that one planet. Indeed, some houses are 'packed' -- that is, three, four, or even more planets may fall within one house. In this case, each of the principles, urges, drives or motivations suggested by the different planets will be expressing itself through that area of life. Obviously, should the nature of the planets be contradictory, such as the expansive effects of Jupiter versus the cautious and limiting effects of Saturn, then the sphere of life will be met with greater tension and complexity. Any house containing two or more planets will assume extra significance in the person's life-plan or purpose.

posted July 08, 2005 11:42 PM              

it's from The Twelve Houses