12 houses and their meanings in Vedic astrology and how they affect our overall lifestyle and cycle:
In Hindu Astrology or Vedic Astrology, as it is derived from the Vedas, there are 12 houses in the birth chart. These houses are also known as Bhava in Hindi. These houses are the significator of different segments of a native’s life including personal traits, career, domestic life, relationships, health, wealth etc. Their experiences, fortunate and unfortunate life events, successes, and failures fall under the governance of these houses. However, your experience in each of these aspects/areas, depends on the placement of the 9 planets- absolute as well as relative to each other – in these houses. Also, each house of your birth chart is ruled by a different sign which depends on your time, date, and location of birth.
All the auspicious and baleful effects are calculated on the basis of the position and aspect of planets, placement of signs and their lords, and their aspect on the houses.
Significance of Houses In Vedic Astrology
In Vedic astrology, the 12 zodiac signs have been divided into 30 degrees each, with two and a quarter constellations in each direction. These signs have been divided into 12 equal houses, each of which represents a unique aspect of life. These houses signify a certain area of life in which the energies of the signs and planets operate—described in terms of both physical surroundings and personal life experiences.
There are many aspects of life that each of the houses represents in your birth chart. Here are the 12 houses and their meanings and important areas represented by them:
1st House (Lagna Bhava or The House Of Self-Expression)
The first house, also known as Ascendant house or ‘Lagna bhava’ is the house of self. It is also called ‘Tanu’ (body) bhava in Hindi as this house represents your physical appearance.
The first house represents your strength, weakness, temperament, ego, health, childhood and self-expression. This house rules over your individuality. It affects your opinion, sense of judgment, likes and dislikes, traits, resourcefulness, your sense to initiate things and lead forward. The main body parts ruled by the first house are hair, head, face, complexion and forehead.
The first house corresponds to Aries (ruled by planet Mars).
When the first house is strong, the native attains a determined, good-looking and confident personality. They make a good first impression, create a good life for themselves with their abilities. However, when the first house is weak, the native would face health issues like nausea and headaches, they will lack confidence and struggle to make firm decisions. Rahu, Ketu and Saturn are considered malefic planets in 1st house whereas, Sun, Moon, Mercury and Jupiter give auspicious effects in the first house.
2nd House – (Dhana Bhava or The House of Possessions)
The second house, also known as the ‘Dhana (finance) bhava’ rules over the wealth you collect over the course of a lifetime. It represents your possessions like cars, furniture and usage of all the materialistic as well as non-materialistic things. The second house is the house responsible for education, it also signifies family and speech.
This house represents valuable things, money, self-worth, cultivation and acquisitions. It also rules over your immediate physical environment – taste, smell, sight, sound, touch and money. The second house signifies your income, monetary gains over your lifetime. However, it doesn’t limit to only your possessions or income, this house also governs over your voice. Therefore, a person with a strong second house has a nice voice. The main body parts ruled by this house are teeth, tongue, mouth.
Venus, Jupiter, Sun, Moon, Mercury give auspicious results when they are posited in this house. Rahu is also beneficial when it sits in the 2nd house, it bestows financial benefits, however, it may create differences and conflicts among the family as well. On the other hand, Mars, Saturn and Ketu give malefic effects.
This house corresponds with the energy of the earth sign, Taurus.
The second house of astrology is strong, the native becomes financially stable and strong, they achieve great monetary success over their lifetime. It is the house of value, thus, when it is strong, a native lives a life full of valuable acts and collects
valuable things. On the other hand, when the second house is weak, the native suffers a lack of money, they may have a habit of unnecessary spending, they may also have a difficult relationship with their family.
3rd House – (Buddhi Bhava or The House of Communication)
The third house is the house of order, communication, expression and sharing. This house is also known as the ‘Buddhi (intelligence) bhava’.
This house of birth chart governs your intellect. It represents your communication skills, courage, hobbies, short journeys and ephemera. Neighbors, hobbies, television, media and writing also fall under the realm of the third house. Generosity in nature and the ability to develop and grasp and memorize things also fall under the realm of the third house. It signifies your mental inclination towards things, setting up your life journey, choosing where you want to put your efforts and what makes you happy are a part of this dominion.
This house is associated with the air sign, Gemini.
The third house rules over your shoulders, collar bone, hands, arms, nervous system and lungs. Imbalance in the nervous system, lungs problems, legs pain, problems of the respiratory canal and shoulder ache are signs of a weak 3rd house.
Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter are auspicious planets in this house. Whereas, Venus gives a malefic effect in this house by resulting in a delay in marriage and causing tastelessness. On the other hand, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu also bestow beneficial outcomes in this house. These planets make the natives incredibly dedicated to their work and achieve great success.
When the third house is strong, the native becomes hardworking, dutiful and they share an endearing bond with their siblings. However, when the third house is weak, a native may not be able to make the right decisions, they will have a bad memory, they will not be able to choose the right career path. Such natives will not have a proper hobby or passion to follow. They may also have a poor relationship with their siblings and family members.
4th House – (Bandhu Bhava or The House of Domestic Happiness)
The fourth house is also called the ‘Bandhu (friend) bhava’ as it governs your friends and family.
This house mainly rules over your domestic life, your mother, house, land, property, vehicle, real estate and materialistic possessions. Your heritage, ancestry, your roots and foundation, environment, housing and the household, your neighborhood, area of comfort, compactness, security and your pets fall under the purview of this house. It also represents the domestic happiness you acquire in your life.
The fourth house of astrology is the dominion of your emotions, deep feelings, self, children, women, feminine side and family. It is also the realm that governs your gentle behavior, your inclination towards domestic life and self-care.
This house corresponds with the water sign, Cancer.
The main body parts ruled by this house are breasts, stomach, digestive organ. Mars, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus give auspicious results in the fourth house. Whereas, Sun, Rahu and Ketu are inauspicious planets for the 4th house.
When the fourth house is strong, the native has a happy domestic life, they share a healthy bond with their siblings and accumulate valuable possessions. Such natives are generous, down to earth and sentimental. They are wise and offer help to anyone in need. However, when the 4th house is weak, the native may suffer from a lack of
mental peace and good mental health. They may feel confused and become unsocialized. Such natives will be distracted, they will blame others and have anger issues.
5th House – (Putra Bhava or The House of Playfulness)
The fifth house is also known as the ‘Putra (child) bhava’.
This is the dominion of children, playfulness, joy and family. This house rules over creativity, energy, fortune, learning and optimism. It also represents emotions, romance, memory, fluid intelligence and good past life deeds. Recreational activities, enjoyment, entertainment, your creative side, fertility, love and limerence are also a part of this house.
Planet Jupiter comprises this house. Therefore, the 5th house is also the realm through which all your positivity, learning, and optimistic thinking generate. It is also the house of good fortune, your mental intelligence and your energetic personality.
The 5th sign of the zodiac circle – Leo is associated with the fifth house of the birth chart.
The 5th house of astrology mainly governs your upper body parts. Your heart, stomach, spine, spinal cord, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, colon and diaphragm are ruled by this house. Your pregnancy, children and their connection with you also fall under the 5th house.
Sun, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter are considered planets that give auspicious results in this dominion. Saturn, Ketu, Rahu and Moon give malefic results in the 5th house.
A strong 5th house bestows the native with good education, creative thinking, optimistic mind, excellent mental capacity and loving children. Such natives become successful in their work and gain popularity in society. Along with this, they spend a happy life with their family and children.
When the fifth house is weak, the native will be weak in studies, they may not get a higher education. Such natives may struggle in decision making, they may face troubles in having a child and living a joyful life.
6th House – (Ari Bhava or The House of Enemies)
The sixth house of the birth chart is also called ‘Ari (enemy) bhava’. Ari means enemy, challenges or obstacles.
The sixth house is the realm that governs all your enemies, hurdles, problems and difficulties of your life. Along with this, the sixth house rules over the short time or acute sickness, debts & losses, broken relationships and agony.
Your daily routine, tasks, your duties and skill, strength, sickness and wellness, healthcare, employment and courage are a part of this dominion. Your chosen lifestyle and the choices you make to lead your life are found in the 6th house.
This house matches with the earth sign, Virgo.
The planetary placement in this house determines your lifestyle. Herein, an exalted Moon can make the native live a happy, healthy and emotionally rich life. However, a debilitated Moon will affect longevity and the native may not live a long life. Rahu in the 6th house is a blessing for the native’s career. A native with this placement becomes very successful and famous.
Mars, Mercury and Jupiter are considered auspicious, whereas, Sun, Venus, Saturn and Ketu are considered inauspicious in the sixth house. This house mainly rules over your kidney, waist, lower abdomen, small intestine, navel, appendix. When the sixth house is weak, the native may suffer from kidney problems, constipation, hernia, etc.
When the sixth house is strong, it makes the native a rich, successful and happy person. They live a healthy life, make great choices, work at great jobs and serve at great designations. On the other hand, when it is weak, the native will struggle all their life for a happy relationship, a successful job and an emotionally supportive environment.
7th House – (Yuvati Bhava or The House of Partner)
This house is the realm of personal and professional bond, friendship and partnership. It represents and rules over the partnership of all kinds.
The seventh house or ‘Yuvati (lady) bhava’ is the house of your partner or spouse. It is the realm where all your partnerships whether personal or professional, foreign place and marriage fall. This house governs the success or failure of your partnership. This house is called Yuvati Bhava as it deals with the feminine side of the native like female friends, lovers and partners. This is also the house responsible for marriage and the future of the marriage, happiness and sorrow tied with the marriage.
This house matches with the air sign Libra.
It also signifies signing bonds and contracts. Also, it deals with the dark side of relationships.
In the seventh house, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Moon and Jupiter are considered to be the auspicious planets. They give benefits to the natives while they are placed in this house. Whereas, Rahu, Ketu and Saturn are highly inauspicious planets in the 7th house.
Saturn in the 7th house is one of the worst planetary positions. It causes obstacles and difficulties, especially in marriage. This placement causes breakups, unhappy relationships, delays in marriage, problems in marriage, unhappy marriage and divorce, etc.
A strong 7th house resembles a happy marriage, good relationship with partner, wealthy life, charming personality and loving spouse. On the other hand, when the seventh house is weak it makes a native suffer in many ways. They may get married to a person of suspicious nature. When this house is weak, it also causes the native to suffer from diseases like reproductive organ issues, diabetes. They also have multiple affairs even after getting married.
8th House – (Randhra Bhava or The House of Sudden Events)
The eighth house is one of the most impactful houses.
The eighth house or the ‘Randhra or Ayu (longevity) bhava’ is the dominion of longevity and death. It is the realm of sudden events like sudden gain – lottery and sudden loss. Transformations, turnarounds and obstacles in life, despair, hopelessness and serious accidents fall under the purview of this house. The cycle of birth and death, self-transformation, judgment, commitments, sexual relationships, finances, debt is also ruled by this dominion.
This is also called the house of mysteries and transformation. The impact of negative planetary position can induce depression, anxiety, misery and cause chronic illness. The main body parts ruled by this house are pelvic bones, sexual organs, scrotum, pelvis, seminal vesicles, ovaries, prostate gland etc.
The 8th sign of the zodiac circle, Scorpio is associated with this house.
Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Rahu are inauspicious planetary placement in this house. Whereas, Mercury gives an ample amount of money and fame. Similarly, Ketu or Venus in the 8th house makes the native wealthy, charming and offers longevity.
When Saturn is in the 8th house, the native is most likely to inherit property and possessions.
The strong 8th house indicates a strong will, healthy mind and body, decisiveness, wealth and longevity. Natives with a strong eighth house in the birth chart have the art of overcoming obstacles. On the other hand, when this dominion is weak, it causes chronic illness, distress, a lack of mental peace and troubled health.
9th House – (Dharma Bhava or The House of Principles)
The ninth house of the birth chart is the realm that rules over the good side of your soul. It governs all your good deeds and your mental inclination towards service and selflessness.
The house of principle – ‘Dharma (righteousness and virtue) bhava’ – deals with the good Karma, righteous traits and religious instincts. This house rules over your inclination towards good and charitable deeds, higher learning, ethics and immigration. It is also the house of the father, teachers, long-distance travel, spirituality and meditation.
This house also signifies travel, culture, wisdom, philosophy, belief systems, interests, travel and foreign affairs, education, long-term things, expansion, exploration and experiences. It is also the house of good fortune and intuitions.
The main body parts ruled by the 9th house are thighs, hips, hip joints, bones, bone marrow, arterial system and left leg.
The ninth house corresponds with the fire sign, Sagittarius.
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter give auspicious results in this house, whereas Venus, Rahu, Ketu and Saturn make the native uncontrollable and sinful.
When the ninth house is strong, the native is most likely to travel across the world, gain knowledge, explore cultures, gain experiences, be wise and have a happening life. They will also be generous, inclined towards charity and social work. Such natives will also be highly educated and have a supreme standing in society.
When the 9th house is weak the native will be involved in sinful acts, they will not have an open mind, they are more likely to be poor at their studies and choose a non-valuable career path.
10th House – (Karma Bhava or The House of Career)
The tenth house or ‘Karma (profession) bhava’ is the realm that governs your occupation, area of work, career and success and failure in your career.
This is the house responsible for job and it signifies your post, designation at work, social standing created by your profession. Your professional standing, career opportunities, ambitions, achievements, motivations, government, father, authority, advantages, and notoriety fall under the governance of this house.
The main body parts ruled by the tenth house are bones, joints, knees, kneecaps, etc. When this house is weak, the native can suffer from health problems like inflammation of joints, skin diseases, broken knees, arthritis, weakness, and allergies.
This house corresponds with Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn, the lord of Karma. When Saturn is in harmony with the Karma bhava, the natives achieve great heights in their careers. Whereas, Rahu in the 10th house makes a native invincible in their career. Nobody can defeat them easily. Such natives also make great politicians with their diplomatic excellence.
A strong 10th house bestows the gift of a great career. It makes the native very popular personality, they are respected and appreciated wherever they go. However, when a person has a weak tenth house, they suffer greatly. They may have a troublesome career, their jobs may continually change, they will lack the precision to take the right call and act smartly at their job.
11th House – (Labha Bhava or The House of Profits)
The eleventh house is also called ‘Labha (gain) bhava’. It is the house that rules over the monetary benefits, income gain, bonus and financial fulfillment. The eleventh house also represents long-term goals, desires, social circle, friends and elder siblings.
The benefits of your efforts, your friends and acquaintances, groups, community, belonging and association. It also signifies your wealth fulfillment, connections, love and commitment to your efforts. This is also the house that governs your humanitarianism and hope. It signifies all your future things.
The air sign Aquarius associates with this house.
The main body parts ruled by the eleventh house are the left ear, left arm, right leg, shin bone, ankle, right leg and shanks. When the 11th house of a native is weak, they are most likely to suffer from a fracture of the lower portion of legs, pain in legs, circulatory problems, low productivity of blood etc.
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are planets that give auspicious results in the 11th house. On the other hand, Rahu, Ketu and Saturn are malefic planets that result in harmful effects in this house.
When the 11th house is strong it bestows the native a lifetime of monetary gains. The native is able to work hard, earn the profits that they deserve. They also make powerful connections with people, enjoy blissful friendships and have a friendly relationship with people around them.
With a weak 11th house, the native faces a lot of struggle in making money. They live a life troubled by financial problems. A person with the weak 11th house also struggles in forming strong relationships, friendships and connections. They may lack the will to make effective decisions and put the effort into their work to make a change.
12th House – (Vyaya Bhava or The House of or Secrets)
The twelfth house is also known as ‘Vyaya (expense) or Vairagya (ending) bhava’. As it is the last house of the birth chart, it signifies the ending.
This house indicated the ending of the physical world and the beginning of the spiritual world. It also governs detachment, self- untying, internment and separation. It is the house that represents solitude, karma, afterlife, old age, subconscious and beliefs.
Your seclusion, privacy, luck, forgiveness, healing, peace and source of peace, dreams, addictions, abundance, extremities, relinquishment, completion, safe haven and revelation fall under the realm of 12th house.
The twelfth house corresponds with the energy of the twelfth sign, Pisces.
Your feet, lymphatic system, left eye. When the 12th of a native is weak, it can cause anxiety, bad dreams, sleep disturbance, weak immunity system and eye problems.
A well-placed Venus gives beneficial effects to the native. It makes them charming, beautiful and creative. However, planets Mars, Rahu, Ketu and Saturn are malefic in the 12th house. These planets make the native superficial, shy and timid.
When the 12the house is strong, the native does not have ego issues. They are wise, creative, generous and they believe in growing spiritually. However, a weak 12th
house can cause problems like insomnia, a lack of mental peace, unpredictable behavior, greed and unsatisfied behavior.
Conclusion
These were some points to highlight the 12 astrology houses and their meanings. While their significance is broad, you can always find these aspects helping you in the journey to explore and learn more about yourself.
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