I’ve noticed a “rising” interest in house systems on the boards lately.  May I suggest for your edification and enjoyment The Astrological Houses: The Spectrum of Individual Experience
by Dane Rudhar.

Rudhyar (born March 23, 1895) was a prolific writer, philosopher, composer and astrologer.  He is considered the forefather of psychological astrology with writing rich in concepts of free will and humanistic philosophy.

The Astrological Houses begins with an historical account of the “archaic astrologer”  living in a flat locality using two simple systems to understand planetary movement.  One, the back drop of the stars, fixed in their patterns as they move across the sky. The other based on the daily movement of the sun and moon above and below the horizon.  It was this daily movement by which men who stayed up with their cattle measured their “watches” creating what we now know of as “houses.”

From there, Rudhyar elaborates on the development of the houses and the axis points, what they are used for, and what are the complex problems that arise when we take the concept out of “flatland” and into a round world that goes around the sun.  He touches briefly on some of the different systems such as the Placidus system and the Equal House system.  This is the part that many of you have expressed an interest in understanding.  I think the value here is in the explanation of how houses work as a concept. From there the reader is empowered with the knowledge to understand the differences of systems they encounter with relative ease.  And that’s just the first 50 pages.

The real meat of the book is a rich collection of the symbolism and purpose of each house.  Each section is a thought provoking extrapolation on the various existential circumstances in which the substance of life operates.

Rich in philosophy, historical detail, and transpersonal delights, The Astrological Houses is a classic.  If you are looking to take your astro skills to the next level, this is a must read.

(Pictured: 1972 edition cover, from my personal library.)