Each house of our horoscope corresponds to a different area of our life. Different aspects of our living -Artha (Material), Kama (Pleasure), Dharma (Duty), and Moksha (Spirituality, Salvation) are governed by these houses. There are 12 houses in a horoscope chart - in both western and vedic astrology and each house holds one zodiac sign. Also can be said that each sign rules one house of the horoscope.

Artha Houses - 2, 6, 10 Kama Houses - 3, 7, 11 Dharma Houses - 1, 5, 9 Moksha Houses - 4, 8, 12

The images above shows the horoscope patterns of Western and Vedic astrology. The western astrology uses a wheel symbolism whereas Vedic astrology uses a square diagram with diamond and triangle shapes within in.

The above horoscopes considers the 1st house to hold the sign of Aries. This horoscope where the first house has the 1st sign of the zodiac is called the Kaalpurush's zodiac chart in Vedic astrology.

The sign in the first house (and consequently the other houses) of an individual's chart will change depending on which sign was rising in the eastern hemisphere at the time his/her birth and is called the rising/Ascendant sign - which determines the overall personality. It is called as the Lagna in vedic astrology and also known as the "House of Self".

The First House : The first house denotes many aspects of our persona - including our sense of self, physical body, color, form and shape, constitution, health, vitality and vigor, skin, natural disposition and tendencies, general candor, honor and dignity. Prosperity and general well-being, longevity, age, suffering and name, fame and reputation can also be determined from the first house. In our body - the first house represents our head, forehead and upper part of the face.

If there are any planets in the first house of the zodiac, it will affect the mentioned aspects of the individual personality.

For example : If a person has Sun in their 1st house they will have a very strong and dynamic personality. If there is Venus (planet of femininity and beauty) - the person will have beautiful features. (Given there are no other planetary aspects onto the first house)

The Second House : The 2nd House signifies of our family, earning ability, speech, food, bank balance, revenues, oratory and observation skills, memory. It's also a signifier of jewelry, precious stones, metals and documents. In our body, the Second house represents our face below forehead - nose tongue, cheek, chin, face-cut. For example - if Moon is in the 2nd house, the person will have a round shaped face. It can also denote our morals (truth or falsehood) and miserliness or liberality. For example - if Jupiter (the teacher planet) is in the 2nd house, the person would be always truthful. If Venus is in the 2nd house, the person will be a sweet, pleasing talker. North Node in 2nd house may give an individual lying tendencies. They could also sound proud or have a harsh voice.

The Third House : The 3rd House is the house of siblings and cousins. It determines our self-effort, courage, valor, firmness, heroism, motivation, reflexes. It also signifies short travels and represents all communication means- correspondence, letters, media, mobile, television, telecommunication, radio reports, signals, messengers, etc. In our body the 3rd House represents neck, collarbone, shoulder, arms and nervous system.

The Fourth House : The 4th House represents our home, mother and emotions. It deals with the movable and immovable properties, real estates, mines, gardens, agriculture, etc. It represents our psychology, early education - school, college, childhood and domestic environment. It's also relates to vedic and secret texts, boats, oil and water, milk, herbs, caves, wells, ponds, etc. It can be signifier of any personal resting place for an individual. For example, Venus in 4th House individual would like to have a very well decorated and furnished house. Sun in the 4th House would want to have a extravagant house setup. Moon in the 4th House makes a person very homely as their thoughts and emotions are all about their Home Sweet Home.

The Fifth House : The 5th House is a Happy house as it represents Children and Love Relationships. It denotes Creativity, Recreation, Romance and Innovation. It also represents past life tendencies. It represents tastes and fantasies and is a signifier of various entertainment forms like cinema, opera, drama, music, dance, drama. It's also a house of speculative businesses like gambling, betting, lottery, etc. It also represents profound learning, wisdom, religious affinity, chanting of mantras and spiritual practices. In our body, the 5th house represents belly, waist and Pancreas. 5th house determines hobbies and enjoyment. Negative influences on 5th house may lead to addictions, love crimes, etc.

The Sixth House : The 6th House is the house of service, routine work, diseases, competition, enmity, struggle, debt, obstacles, nursing food and dietary habits. It also represents employees, subordinates and servants, pet animals and tenants. Malefic placements in 6th house can be indicative of separation from partner, divorce. 6th House is also dress, clothing, industries, public health, sanitation. It also represents maternal uncle. In our body 6th House represents lower abdomen, intestines, etc.

The Seventh House : The 7th House is the house of Marriage. It represents partnerships - life partner / business partner, dealing with the public, legal bondages, contracts, arbitration, international relationships, wars, foreign affairs, public image. It is also seen for death predictions. In our body 7th House represents the reproductive organs.

The Eighth House : The 8th House signifies circumstances of death, loss, obstruction, theft, fire, famine, scandals, ill-repute, suicide, etc. It signifies inheritance, legacy, insurance. It's also the house of Occult, yoga, mysticism, psychic talents. It also denotes sudden events, accidents, infections, defeat, disappointment, robbery, obstructions, blame, sexual scandals, underground activities, etc. In our body, the 8th House represents hips and scrotum. To avoid the bad impacts of 8th house placement, we can try to incorporate the few good things of the 8th house like Yoga and other spiritual practices.

The Ninth House : The 9th House is another happy house indicative of a person's Luck and long distance travels, sea voyages, land travels, etc. The 9th House represents Father and teachers. It's indicative of our higher learning, dreams and visions. It's also the house of Faith, Religion, Pilgrimage and Charity. In body, the 9th House represents our Thighs.

The Tenth House : The 10th House is one's job, profession, career. It also symbolizes authoritative figure, fame, status and success in life. It marks rank, respect and reputation, honor from Government. It's a signifier of boss, superiors, employer and Government. It might represent adopted son and is a main indicative of one's means of livelihood. In our body, the 10th House signifies the Knees.

The Eleventh House : A happy house of Gains and Friends, the 11th House represents goals and wishes coming true. It represents unearned wealth through profits, opportunities, easy gains, trusts, etc. It also signifies elder brother, elders in family - uncles. It represents our admirers, supporters, well-wishers and groups of friends. It also represents son/daughter-in-law. In our body, the 11th House represents the shin and ankles.