House Division in Ancient Astrology: Origins of the Different Systems

The Astrology Podcast・2 minutes read

The Astrology Podcast episode explores the origins of the house division debate in Western astrology, detailing various historical approaches and influences from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Hellenistic tradition. The discussion covers the use of whole sign, equal, and quadrant houses, showcasing how different astrologers reconciled these methods and the shifting preferences over time.

Insights

  • The debate on house division in Western astrology began in November 2015, sparking disagreements and subsequent discussions, leading to significant insights from prominent researchers like Robert Schmidt.
  • The merging of Mesopotamian zodiac and Egyptian decans led to the development of the concept of the 12 houses in astrology, with different ancient astrology traditions utilizing various house division methods.
  • Whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses were the three main forms of house division in ancient astrology, each with distinct characteristics and approaches to dividing the chart.
  • Ancient astrology texts introduced complex concepts like the planetary joys scheme, angularity, and the common length-of-life technique, influencing later astrological practices and house division methods.
  • Standalone birth charts mainly used whole sign houses, while literary charts from authors like Vettius Valens and Dorotheus favored whole sign houses for house division, showcasing the prevalence of this system in the Hellenistic tradition.
  • The integration of whole sign houses and degree-based house division in astrological interpretations remains a topic of debate within the Hellenistic tradition, with later astrologers like Valens and Ptolemy utilizing both systems in their practices.
  • The decline of the Roman Empire led to a decrease in Hellenistic astrology, with Early Medieval astrologers primarily using whole sign houses before a shift towards quadrant houses, influenced by figures like Abu Ma’shar.
  • Different quadrant house systems like Alcabitius, Regiomantanus, and Placidus gained popularity in various historical periods, with Placidus becoming the dominant form of house division in the 20th century due to the availability of tables of houses.

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Recent questions

  • What are the origins of Western astrology house division?

    The origins of house division in Western astrology trace back to ancient Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago. Astrologers observed celestial omens and recorded them on clay tablets, leading to the development of a large library of astrological knowledge. The concept of the 12-sign zodiac emerged in Mesopotamia around 500-400 BCE, dividing the ecliptic into 12 segments. Astrology in Egypt developed concurrently with Mesopotamia, focusing on decans associated with fixed stars. The merging of Mesopotamian zodiac and Egyptian decans eventually led to the concept of the 12 houses in astrology, forming the foundation for different house division systems used in Western astrology.

  • What are the main forms of house division in ancient astrology?

    Ancient astrology, particularly Hellenistic astrology, utilized three main forms of house division: whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses. Whole sign houses designate the rising sign as the 1st house, with each subsequent house corresponding to the zodiac signs in counter-clockwise order. Equal houses use the exact degree of the Ascendant to determine house divisions, with each house being exactly 30°. Quadrant houses, on the other hand, use the degree of the Ascendant and the local meridian to establish house divisions, trisecting the distance between the Ascendant and the meridian to divide the chart into four quadrants.

  • How did ancient astrologers reconcile different house division approaches?

    Ancient astrologers reconciled different house division approaches by utilizing various methods such as whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses. Each system had its unique way of dividing the chart and assigning meanings to different houses. Authors like Vettius Valens and Dorotheus predominantly used the whole sign house system for interpretation, while later astrologers like Rhetorius and Firmicus incorporated both whole sign and quadrant houses in delineating planets. The integration of these different house division systems aimed to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of astrological charts.

  • What influenced the shift from whole sign houses to quadrant houses in astrology?

    The shift from whole sign houses to quadrant houses in astrology was influenced by early Medieval astrologers like Abu Ma’shar, who showed a preference for quadrant houses over whole sign houses when faced with a conflict between the two approaches. This preference set a precedent leading later astrologers to prioritize the quadrant approach, influencing a shift in the tradition towards using quadrant houses. Abu Ma’shar became one of the most authoritative and influential Medieval astrologers, contributing to the dominance of quadrant houses in astrology and the decline of whole sign houses after the 9th century.

  • How did the reintroduction of whole sign houses impact Western astrology?

    The reintroduction of whole sign houses in Western astrology by scholars like James Holden, Robert Schmidt, and Robert Hand in the 1980s and 1990s brought back an ancient house division system that had been largely forgotten. This reintroduction provided astrologers with an alternative approach to house division, emphasizing the symbolic significance and historical roots of whole sign houses. While quadrant houses had become the primary form of house division in astrology, the revival of whole sign houses offered practitioners a deeper understanding of traditional astrological methods and the importance of exploring different house division systems for a comprehensive astrological practice.

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Summary

00:00

House Division Debate in Western Astrology Origins

  • Chris Brennan hosts The Astrology Podcast, with this episode on the origins of the house division debate in Western astrology.
  • The episode delves into the various forms of house division in modern astrology, tracing their roots back to the earliest sources in the Western tradition.
  • Brennan presents a lecture, departing from the usual discussion format, based on previous presentations at conferences.
  • The talk explores questions like which house division systems were used in antiquity and how ancient astrologers reconciled different approaches.
  • The debate on house division sparked in November 2015 with an episode on whole sign houses, leading to disagreements and subsequent discussions.
  • Robert Schmidt, a prominent Hellenistic astrology researcher, responded to the debate with his own insights in June 2016.
  • Brennan, while writing his book on Hellenistic astrology, expanded on the house division issue, culminating in a detailed chapter released in February 2017.
  • The debate coincided with significant astrological events, such as Saturn-Neptune squares, adding a symbolic layer to the discussions.
  • Brennan gave lectures on the topic at astrology conferences in 2017 and 2018, revising and presenting the material for The Astrology Podcast.
  • The revised lecture aims to provide a historical background on ancient astrology, emphasizing the synthesis of earlier traditions into the fourfold system around 100 BCE.

15:37

Ancient Astrology: Origins and House Division

  • Western astrology originated in Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago, where astrologers observed celestial omens and recorded them on clay tablets.
  • Mesopotamians developed a large library of astrological omens, leading to the advancement of their astrology and astronomy.
  • The Mesopotamians established the concept of the 12-sign zodiac around 500-400 BCE, dividing the ecliptic into 12 equally-sized segments.
  • In Egypt, astrology developed concurrently with Mesopotamia, focusing on the concept of 36 decans, associated with specific fixed stars.
  • Egyptians used decans to time rituals based on the rising or culminating decans, focusing on diurnal rotation.
  • Alexander the Great's conquests in the 4th century BCE brought Mesopotamia and Egypt under Greek rule, fostering interactions between the two astrological traditions.
  • The merging of Mesopotamian zodiac and Egyptian decans led to the development of the concept of the 12 houses in astrology.
  • Ancient astrology, particularly Hellenistic astrology, utilized three main forms of house division: whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses.
  • Whole sign houses designate the rising sign as the 1st house, with each subsequent house corresponding to the zodiac signs in counter-clockwise order.
  • The concept of the Midheaven in whole sign houses refers to the 10th sign relative to the Ascendant, marking a distinct approach to house division in ancient astrology.

31:01

Ancient astrology: Lots, houses, and systems

  • Lots in ancient astrology, like the Lot of Fortune, designated entire signs with specific topics.
  • Different Lots, such as the Lot of Children and Lot of Marriage, were used for various matters.
  • Significators in a chart could mark the entirety of a sign with their topics.
  • Authors sometimes emphasized derived houses from the Lot of Fortune over those from the Ascendant.
  • The equal house system in ancient astrology used the exact degree of the Ascendant to determine house divisions.
  • Each house in the equal house system is exactly 30°, measured from the rising degree.
  • The Midheaven in the equal house system is always 90° upwards from the Ascendant.
  • Quadrant houses use the degree of the Ascendant and the local meridian to establish house divisions.
  • Quadrant house systems trisect the distance between the Ascendant and the meridian to divide the chart into four quadrants.
  • Different quadrant house systems, like Porphyry or Placidus, have varying methods for trisecting and dividing the chart.

46:32

Variations in Midheaven and House Systems

  • The Midheaven can vary in position depending on the time of day, location, and other factors.
  • Three different ways of defining the Midheaven are discussed.
  • In a chart with 17° of Aquarius rising, the Ascendant, Descendant, and Midheaven positions are explained.
  • Different house division systems, like whole sign houses and equal house system, are compared.
  • The prominence of natal astrology in the Hellenistic tradition is highlighted.
  • The surviving evidence for house division in Greco-Roman astrology is discussed.
  • Birth charts from the Hellenistic tradition mainly survive in Greek and Demotic scripts.
  • Standalone and literary charts are two categories of surviving birth charts.
  • The distribution of surviving birth charts peaks around the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE.
  • Examples of standalone birth charts from the Hellenistic tradition are provided, showing planetary positions and dates of birth.

01:01:29

"Birth Charts: Ancient Astrology Techniques Revealed"

  • Birth data is listed at the beginning of the chart, typically provided by the person's parents.
  • Astrologers calculate planetary positions based on the birth data given.
  • Charts often end with a statement like "Good luck" or "farewell."
  • Standalone charts typically list planetary placements in zodiac signs for traditional planets and the Ascendant.
  • More elaborate horoscopes may include planetary degrees, decans, bounds, terms, and other Lots.
  • Deluxe horoscopes contain detailed calculations beyond traditional charts.
  • Birth charts were often written on papyrus scraps, with many surviving from Egypt due to the dry climate.
  • Astrologers used consultation boards to recreate birth charts for consultations.
  • Boards could be elaborate wooden structures or simpler versions using sand for drawing charts.
  • Different socio-economic levels influenced the materials used by astrologers for consultations.

01:17:00

Hellenistic Charts: Whole Sign House System Dominance

  • Approximately 124 charts were analyzed, with the majority (around 90%) only noting the rising sign without specific degrees for the Ascendant or Midheaven.
  • 12 standalone charts recorded the rising degree of the Ascendant but not the Midheaven degree.
  • 5 standalone charts recorded both the degree of the Ascendant and the degree of the Midheaven.
  • The distribution showed that 88% of standalone charts only recorded the rising sign, 8% recorded the rising degree, and 4% recorded both Ascendant and Midheaven degrees.
  • The data suggests that the majority of Hellenistic standalone charts likely used the whole sign house system due to the lack of specific degree information.
  • Even charts listing specific degrees for the Ascendant or Midheaven could still have used whole sign houses, possibly in combination with other house systems.
  • Intermediate house cusps were rarely mentioned in surviving standalone charts, indicating a focus on the Ascendant and Midheaven degrees rather than intermediate house divisions.
  • Literary charts from authors like Vettius Valens and Dorotheus predominantly used the whole sign house system for interpretation.
  • Vettius Valens, for instance, consistently used whole sign houses in over a hundred example charts, with rare instances of quadrant house usage.
  • Dorotheus also relied on the whole sign house system in his example charts, demonstrating a consistent approach across different authors and texts from the Hellenistic tradition.

01:32:29

Evolution of House Division in Literary Charts

  • 76% of surviving literary charts only list the rising sign, indicating the use of whole sign houses for house division.
  • 7 surviving charts provide the exact degree of the Ascendant, but some still utilize whole sign houses for planet locations.
  • 19% of literary charts calculate both the degree of the Ascendant and the Midheaven, showing a higher percentage than those listing only the rising sign.
  • The majority of literary charts, including those from Valens and Dorotheus, predominantly used whole sign houses for house division.
  • Quadrant houses are more prevalent in literary charts compared to standalone charts, hinting at a potential shift in house division methods.
  • Few charts explicitly calculate intermediate house cusps, with most potentially using whole sign houses even when providing Ascendant and Midheaven degrees.
  • Charts potentially using quadrant houses are more common in later Hellenistic tradition, particularly from around 500 CE onwards.
  • Whole sign houses were the primary form of house division in the Hellenistic tradition from the 1st century BCE to the 6th or 7th century CE.
  • Three foundational texts attributed to Hermes, Asclepius, and Nechepso introduced the concepts of whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses, respectively.
  • The origins of the house division debate can be traced back to these three influential authors who introduced competing approaches to house division.

01:47:53

Early Astrological Text: Hermes and the Houses

  • Thrasyllus, who died in 36 CE, cited the Hermes text, which likely dates back to around 100 BCE.
  • Thrasyllus provided a list of significations for the 12 houses, possibly the earliest complete set known.
  • The Hermes text may have introduced the concept of the 12 houses and their significations.
  • The text combined the diurnal rotation concept with the 12-sign zodiac, setting up the houses in zodiacal order.
  • The Hermes text assigned significations to each house, such as the 1st house representing the soul, fortune, way of life, and siblings.
  • Some significations from the Hermes text were later dropped or moved to different houses by subsequent astrologers.
  • The Hermes text may have been the first to introduce the concept of the 12 Joys, derived from the planetary joys scheme.
  • The text also introduced the idea of angularity, dividing houses into angular, succedent, and cadent categories.
  • The Hermes text likely influenced the assignment of planets to specific houses based on the planetary joys scheme.
  • The Hermes text may have been the earliest reference to the planetary joys scheme in the Hellenistic tradition.

02:02:34

Angular Succedents and Declines in Astrology

  • Succedents are taken from the angles: Ascendant, Midheaven, Setting, and Subterraneous.
  • Leading zodiacal sign for each angle is called a decline.
  • Example: For the Thema Mundi, Cancer marks the hour, Aries culminates, Capricorn sets, and Libra is the Subterraneous Pivot.
  • Angularity is explained in a sign-based framework.
  • Ascendant can refer to the entire rising sign.
  • Midheaven can refer to the entire 10th whole sign house.
  • Cadent houses move away from angles, while succedent houses rise towards angles.
  • Hermes text defines chrematistikos as advantageous or busy planets.
  • Asclepius text introduces an alternative set of significations for the first 8 houses.
  • Asclepius text modifies some significations from the Hermes text, like moving death from the 7th to the 8th house.

02:17:27

"Combining Hermes and Asclepius in Astrology"

  • Hermes text attributes injury to the 6th house, while Asclepius text also attributes injury to the 6th house.
  • Hermes text links the wife or spouse to the 7th house, similar to Asclepius text.
  • Asclepius introduces different family members to astrology, assigning parents to the 4th house and children to the 5th house.
  • Asclepius aims to help astrologers locate specific family members in a person's chart for better analysis.
  • Later astrologers merged Hermes and Asclepius systems, combining the best aspects of both.
  • Asclepius introduces the concept of equal houses, altering traditional house division methods.
  • Valens and Firmicus mention equal houses in connection with Asclepius, indicating a shift in house division approaches.
  • Asclepius text advocates for using both whole sign houses and equal houses simultaneously.
  • Asclepius text suggests a dual approach to house division, incorporating both sign-based and degree-based frameworks.
  • Asclepius text's introduction of equal houses may have roots in ancient Egyptian astrology, particularly in the use of decans for house significations.

02:32:51

Egyptian Decan Influence on Length-of-Life Techniques

  • The Egyptian decan tradition influenced the idea of the Descendant, where the Sun sets daily, indicating bodily harm or death.
  • The 10th decan, equivalent to the equal house IC, symbolized death, aligning with the four angular decans.
  • The tradition assigned the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th decans to the four equal house angles.
  • The approach involved setting up 36 sectors or houses relative to the rising decan, focusing on entire decans.
  • The rising decan signifies birth, the Descendant decan signifies injury, and the Midheaven decan signifies livelihood.
  • The Nechepso-Petosiris text introduced the common length-of-life technique using primary directions.
  • The technique involved determining a predominator planet representing life force and directing it towards malefic aspects to indicate crises.
  • It also identified the Master of the Nativity to predict the native's potential lifespan.
  • Valens and Ptolemy introduced quadrant houses in the length-of-life technique, deviating from whole sign houses.
  • Ptolemy potentially introduced equal houses, both authors focusing on degree-based house division from the Nechepso-Petosiris text.

02:48:03

Astrological Texts Influence House Division Methods

  • The original length-of-life technique was likely introduced in the Petosiris text, incorporating rules found in Valens, Antiochus, and Porphyry for calculating the predominator.
  • These texts use ambiguous directional language when referring to houses, such as "declining in the west" or "rising up in the east," leading to differing interpretations among astrologers.
  • Valens simplifies the directional language into normal house numbers, while Antiochus and Porphyry retain the vagueness, possibly causing variations in later astrological traditions.
  • Interpretations of the Petosiris text may have led to differences in later astrological practices, with Valens favoring Porphyry houses and Ptolemy preferring equal houses for the length-of-life technique.
  • The ambiguity of directional language in the Petosiris text regarding east and west may have influenced the development of different house division systems, such as quadrant houses or equal houses.
  • Later astrologers like Valens and Ptolemy may have interpreted the Petosiris text differently, leading to variations in house division methods and techniques.
  • Valens and Ptolemy, both drawing from the Petosiris text, may have reached slightly different conclusions on house division, potentially due to textual ambiguity.
  • Early astrological texts introduced whole sign houses, equal houses, and potentially quadrant houses for house division, with later authors attempting to reconcile these different systems.
  • Valens and Ptolemy may have used whole sign houses for assigning topics and quadrant or equal houses for determining planetary strength in their astrological practices.
  • Valens, in the Anthology, uses the degree of the Meridian Midheaven to assign topics to different whole sign houses, doubling up topics in the house where the Midheaven falls, indicating a complex approach to house division.

03:03:21

Valens' Astrological Focus: Midheaven and IC

  • Valens focuses on the degree of the Meridian Midheaven and the IC for astrological topics, neglecting other intermediate house cusps.
  • Valens provides an example where the Midheaven in Aquarius by degree affects the 9th whole sign house, importing 10th house significations.
  • The degree of the Midheaven acts as a marker for the entirety of the sign, imbuing it with 10th house topics like occupation, reputation, and children.
  • Aquarius also takes on 9th house significations due to the Midheaven's degree placement, including foreign land and god associations.
  • Valens extends the principle to the IC, stating that the degree of the IC in Leo imports 4th house topics into the 3rd whole sign house.
  • The IC in Leo brings 4th house topics like foundations, buildings, and parents, along with 3rd house topics such as god, siblings, and foreign land.
  • Valens' approach signifies an intermediate stage between whole sign and quadrant houses, using the Midheaven and IC degrees as horoscopic markers.
  • Later astrologers like Rhetorius and Firmicus incorporate both whole sign and quadrant houses in delineating planets, alternating between sign and degree placements.
  • Rhetorius and Firmicus likely draw from a common source text, possibly Asclepius, which may have influenced their use of both house systems simultaneously.
  • The integration of whole sign houses and degree-based house division in astrological interpretations remains a topic of debate regarding its development within the Hellenistic tradition.

03:17:45

Hellenistic Astrology: Sign vs. Degree Aspects

  • Rhetorius and Firmicus present similar but slightly different delineations in astrology.
  • Asclepius' original text is lost, hindering direct study of its advocated practices.
  • Rhetorius delineates the Moon in houses using sign-based and degree-based house divisions.
  • Rhetorius predicts great rulers when the Moon is in the 10th whole sign house on the Midheaven.
  • Rhetorius contrasts predictions for the Moon in the 10th whole sign house with and without being on the Midheaven degree.
  • Antiochus and Porphyry introduce aspects in astrology, emphasizing both sign-based and degree-based aspects.
  • Aspects are defined by both zodiacal sign and degree, with importance placed on considering both simultaneously.
  • The Hellenistic tradition valued both sign-based and degree-based aspects for accurate astrological readings.
  • The decline of the Roman Empire led to a decrease in Hellenistic astrology due to religious opposition and legal restrictions.
  • Early Medieval astrologers like Masha’allah and Sahl ibn Bishr primarily used whole sign houses, influenced by earlier authors like Dorotheus and Valens.

03:32:59

Dominance of Quadrant Houses in Astrology

  • Abu Ma’shar showed a preference for quadrant houses over whole sign houses when faced with a conflict between the two approaches.
  • This preference set a precedent leading later astrologers to prioritize the quadrant approach, influencing a shift in the tradition towards using quadrant houses.
  • Abu Ma’shar became one of the most authoritative and influential Medieval astrologers, leading to the dominance of quadrant houses in astrology.
  • The use of whole sign houses declined significantly after the 9th century, with quadrant houses becoming the primary approach in astrology.
  • Different quadrant house systems were introduced based on various mathematical and textual arguments, with popularity shifting between them over different eras.
  • Alcabitius, Regiomantanus, and Placidus were popular quadrant house systems in different historical periods.
  • Placidus became the primary form of house division in the 20th century due to the availability of tables of houses, leading to its widespread adoption.
  • The knowledge of whole sign houses was largely forgotten until scholars like James Holden, Robert Schmidt, and Robert Hand reintroduced the concept in the West in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Whole sign houses, equal houses, and quadrant houses each have unique symbolic significance in astrology, focusing on different aspects of the zodiac and planetary positions.
  • The issue of house division remains complex, with different astrologers advocating for various systems and approaches, emphasizing the importance of deliberate choice and understanding the historical and conceptual reasons behind one's preferred approach.

03:48:14

"Exploring Hellenistic Astrology: Fate and Fortune"

  • "Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune" was released on February 10, 2017, and can be purchased on Amazon or Barnes & Noble websites.
  • Chapter 10 introduces the concept of the 12 Places, focusing on the treatment of houses in texts by authors like Asclepius, Hermes, Valens, and Rhetorius.
  • Chapter 11 delves into a detailed 50-page treatment of the house division issue, offering more in-depth information than presented in the lecture, encouraging readers to explore the book for further insights and discussions.
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