HOUSE DIVISION
An Introduction by Richard Svehla
Introduction to the Uranian System of Astrology
(Hamburg School by Alfred Witte)
1939, Pages 32-39
(Graphics by Michael Feist)
The division of the astrological map into 12 divisions is one of the oldest elements of horoscopy. However there is no unanimity of opinion among leading Astrologers as to what method of house division is the best. Most students are not even aware of the fact that there is more than one theory concerning this feature and take it for granted that the one commonly used in the "Tables of Houses" is the only one ever thought of.
But as a matter of fact it is only one of many such theories and none of them is based on "divine revelations" but is the product of the speculation of human minds. It is a fact that many prominent Astrologers are using different house divisions and each one maintains that the one he uses is the best one.
According to Mr. Witte, they all have a common fault. It lies in the fact that each and every one of these methods are trying to combine several house divisions into one, and the result is a compromise; consequently there is accuracy in some cases, and inaccuracy in many.
- THE EARTH HOROSCOPE:
Shoving the relationships between the native and the world in general. - SUN HOROSCOPE:
Relating to the natives more personal (physical; bodily) affairs; and in a woman's horoscope her relation to the masculine world. - MOON HOROSCOPE:
Relating to a man's experiences with the feminine world and in a woman's horoscope to her more personal (bodily) affairs. - ASCENDANT HOROSCOPE:
Describes the natives relations to others and those of others to him. - MERIDIAN HOROSCOPE:
Is the most intimate one referring to the native's own self; his soul or experiencing ego.
These descriptions of the five horoscopes are of necessity only short delineations and are incomplete. But we have to add a very important feature which is radically different from the orthodox method. Whereas in the orthodox method, whenever auxiliary horoscopes such as Sun or Moon horoscopes are used, the Sun or Moon becomes the Ascendant, it is quite different in the Uranian System in which:
- In the Earth Horoscope 0° Libra is the cusp of 1st House;
- In the Moon Horoscope the Moon is the cusp of 10th House;
- In the Sun Horoscope the Sun is the cusp of 4th House;
- In the Ascendant Horoscope the Ascendant is the cusp of the 1st House;
- In the Meridian Horoscope the Meridian is the cusp of the 10th house.
Now this may seem complicated to those not acquainted with the working methods of the Uranian System. Actually, this multiplicity of horoscopes does not create any difficulties as the Uranian Astrologer does not use any fixed horoscope form.
On the other hand it is also a fact that orthodox Astrology uses more than one house division simultaneously, two of which, the Sign House and the Ascendant Horoscopes are used constantly; but if conventional Astrologers want to be consistent they should use with these two a third one, the Sun Horoscope. In cases where no birth time is known, horoscopes are cast, taking the Sun as Ascendant. If there is any value to these horoscopes, and most professionals are ready to answer this question affirmatively, then this very same value must remain also when the birth hour is known and the horoscope is cast to the time which produces an Ascendant Horoscope.
To give these three horoscopes the proper consideration would entail a great deal of complicated work and so it is being more or less deliberately neglected.
It is quite different in the Uranian System, as will be shown presently.
Instead of a horoscope form, a circular graduated disc with a perforation in the center provides the scheme of Houses for any horoscope, dividing the ecliptic into twelve equal(!) sections of 30° each.
The Illustration shows the 360° Disc, by Mr. Alfred Witte.
The complete working tool consists of a cardboard, the size of an ordinary letterhead, with a thumb tack pushed through its center, point upwards. A clean sheet of blank paper is placed over this tack upon the cardboard and the "Disc" is placed on top so that it may be rotated around the tack.
Then the four cardinal points are marked first on the paper and then all the factors of the horoscope: Planets, Ascendant, Meridian and Moons Node, Antiscions ... and if it should be found necessary ... some of the more important Sums, Half sums or Sensitive Points.
Plate No. II depicts this last operation. The horoscope is now ready, and this is at the same time the Earth Horoscope of the same native whose conventional chart was previously given.
NOTE:
With the exception of the Meridian Horoscope in which this division is not exactly equal but only so slightly different that in this general description it can be ignored.
In this limited space it is not possible to go into the delineations of the five horoscopes but it is interesting to watch the several factors chance house positions from one horoscope to another.
In the Earth Horoscope the Houses are occupied as follows:
[1914 July 27, 20:54 GMT, 39N54, 83W19]
|
1st
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Moon
|
 |
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2nd
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-
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|
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3rd
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Ascendent
|
|
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4th
|
-
|
|
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5th
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Jupiter
|
|
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6th
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Moon's Node
|
|
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7th
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Kronos
[not represented; Kronos 29°03 Aries] |
|
|
8th
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-
|
|
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9th
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Saturn
|
|
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10th
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Mercury
|
|
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11th
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Sun
|
|
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12th
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Venus
Mars Meridian |
A simple turn of the disc with the Point 0° [Capricorn] of to the Sun of the Horoscope changes it to the Sun Horoscope. Anyone may now read the new house positions of the Planets.
Another turn of the disc, this time with the point 0° Cancer upon the Moon of the horoscope produces the Moon Horoscope, and again we find single factors and whole groups changing house position.
The last two charts show the Ascendant and the Meridian Horoscopes
Merely tracing some particular planet or group, of planets through the several horoscopes and then combining the different meanings, very often results in a story revealing facts hitherto completely hidden.
But there is much more to this.
With every turn of the disc we have created a new and important axis and we find that certain planets that are relationship with each other in one horoscope do not have to have the same connection in any, or all, of the others. To cite one example:
In the Earth Horoscope Kronos does not show any connection and Jupiter is connected with Uranus (a stroke of good luck for several people; a drawing (lottery). This last one being in the 5th Earth (games of chance etc). It becomes quite interesting so we follow it back through the other horoscopes.
In the Ascendant Horoscope these two planets are not connected with each other but Jupiter connects with the Meridian (contentment and harmony with others; to be joyful with others) and Kronos connected with Mercury acquaintance with thinkers and poets). In the Sun Horoscope Kronos connects with Mercury (cheerful mood; agile and lively body).
In the Meridian Horoscope Jupiter and Kronos are related to each other because their midpoint conjoins the Meridian (lucky or successful manager).
In the Sun Horoscope these two planets are in the 10th House (body in the public; profession). In the Ascendant Horoscope they are in the 3rd House (neighborhood; moving about); and in the Moon and Meridian Horoscopes they are in the 2nd House (financial affairs; Income).
As this little book is written for Astrologians, we leave the delineation of the last combination to them.
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