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The Main Pivot
Identify the house that represents the person concerned. E.g. House III for a brother, House X for the mother, House VI for an employee.
Astrological Encyclopaedia
Derived Houses in the Natal Chart
Discover derived houses in astrology: read the destiny of those close to you through the rotation of the zodiac within your chart.
Definition
Derived houses are an astrological technique that consists of counting from a natal house to obtain information about loved ones, the finances of others, or events involving a third party in the chart.
Want to understand how derived houses in astrology work? Many astrologers overlook this technique, yet it is essential for reading the events affecting those around you in a natal chart. This complete guide teaches you the counting rule, the fundamental derivations and the full family mapping.
How derived houses reveal a cosmic hologram
Imagine that your natal chart is not merely a map of your own psyche, but a cosmic hologram containing the lives of everyone around you. That is exactly the promise of the astrological technique of derived houses.
Stemming from the Hellenistic tradition and popularised by horary and medieval astrology, this method makes it possible to turn any astrological house into a new Ascendant (House I). The wheel of the zodiac thus pivots to reveal your partner's finances, your mother's career, or even your uncle's secrets.
Though formidably powerful, this technique demands mathematical rigour and great clarity of mind. Let us dive into this celestial mechanism to master all its branches.
Axiom and Definition
Derived houses rest on a fundamental axiom: each astrological House in your natal chart can be regarded as House I of another person.
To use this technique, you count from the 'Pivot' house (the one representing the person studied), always including it as House 1 of that person.
For example, if you want to know your spouse's finances, you take House VII (the spouse) as the starting point. Their finances correspond to their House II. So you count two houses from House VII (VII counts as 1, VIII counts as 2). Your spouse's finances are therefore read in your natal House VIII.
The Golden Rule of Counting
The main mistake astrology students make lies in the calculation. In astrology, counting is always inclusive. There is no 'zero'.
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The Subject of the Question
What are you trying to learn about this person? Their health (VI), their money (II), their children (V) or their secrets (XII)?
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Inclusive Counting
Start counting on the zodiac wheel. The Pivot house is ALWAYS house number 1. Turn counter-clockwise.
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The Derived House
The point of arrival is the Derived House. Analyse its sign, its planetary ruler and the planets it contains in your chart.
The Encyclopaedia of Derivations
Here is a list of the derivations most validated by centuries of astrological practice.
VIII
House II of the VIIThe Partner's Finances
House VIII represents your spouse's money. If Jupiter is there, your partner could be financially comfortable. If Saturn is there, they could go through financial crises that will affect your relationship.
XI
House II of the XThe Fruits of the Career
House XI (projects) is also House II of the X. It describes very concretely the money generated by your profession or the bonuses received from your superiors.
XII
House VI of the VIIThe Spouse's Health
Your twelfth house (hidden trials) is the sixth house (illness) of your partner. Heavy planetary transits in your XII often coincide with the illness of your beloved.
IV
House X of the VIIThe Spouse's Reputation
Your home (House IV) represents your spouse's standing in the world (House X). Your intimate balance often depends on their outer success.
The Great Family Mapping
The natal chart is a coded family tree. Here is how to locate any member, from the ex-wife to the nephew, with mathematical precision.
Ancestry & Uncles
The MotherHouse X
Authority (modern tradition) or House IV (Hellenistic tradition).
The FatherHouse IV
Roots (modern tradition) or House X (Hellenistic tradition).
Maternal Uncles & AuntsHouse XII
The mother's siblings. (House III counted from the X = House XII).
Paternal Uncles & AuntsHouse VI
The father's siblings. (House III counted from the IV = House VI).
Siblings & Descendants
The 1st ChildHouse V
The first child conceived or the first pregnancy.
The 2nd ChildHouse VII
Seen as the sibling (III) of the first child (V). 3 houses after the V = House VII.
The 3rd ChildHouse IX
Seen as the sibling of the 2nd child. 3 houses after the VII = House IX.
The Nephew / NieceHouse VII
The children (V) of your siblings (III). 5 houses after the III = House VII.
Unions & Exes
The (Current) SpouseHouse VII
The main official partner.
The Ex-Wife / Ex-HusbandHouse VII or IX
The Ex stays in VII for divorce conflicts. If there is a 2nd marriage, the new partner goes to IX, and the Ex remains the '1st' in VII.
Brother-in-law / Sister-in-lawHouse IX
The brother or sister (III) of the spouse (VII). 3 houses after the VII = House IX.
The In-LawsHouses X and IV
Your spouse's parents. (House IV of the VII = House X).
Masterclass: 5 Practical Case Studies
Case Study #1
Case #1: The Ex-Husband's Bankruptcy
Question asked
Will my ex-husband, with whom I am in a financial dispute, go bankrupt?
Celestial Data
House VII in Aries. House VIII (2 of 7) in Taurus, occupied by Uranus afflicted by Saturn.
Astrological Analysis
“ The ex-husband (1st spouse) stays in VII. His finances are read in House VIII (House II derived from the VII). Uranus severely afflicted by Saturn in this house indicates a drastic and sudden restriction of his assets, confirming a bankruptcy that could block your alimony. ”
Case Study #2
Case #2: The Second Child's Success
Question asked
Will my second child finally find their professional path?
Celestial Data
House VII (2nd child) in Sagittarius. Natal House IV (10 of 7) in Pisces with Jupiter at the Midheaven.
Astrological Analysis
“ The second child is signified by House VII. Their career is their own House X (10 of 7), which brings us to your natal House IV. A very strong Jupiter (success, expansion) indicates that this second child will enjoy a spectacular professional rise. ”
Case Study #3
Case #3: The Brother-in-law's Secret
Question asked
Is my husband's brother (my brother-in-law) hiding serious things from us?
Celestial Data
House IX (brother-in-law) in Virgo. Natal House VIII (12 of 9) housing Neptune badly aspected.
Astrological Analysis
“ The brother-in-law (House III from the VII = House IX). His secrets are read in his own House XII (12 of 9), which corresponds to your natal House VIII. Neptune (lies, concealment) is very badly aspected there. The verdict is final: he is hiding a reality (often financial or debt-related given the nature of the 8th house). ”
Case Study #4
Case #4: The Nephew's Inheritance
Question asked
Will my nephew grow rich through his father's estate?
Celestial Data
House VII (the nephew) in Libra. Natal House II (8 of 7) in Taurus with Venus and Pluto conjunct.
Astrological Analysis
“ The nephew (child of the sibling: 5 of 3) is found in House VII. His inheritance is read in his House VIII. Counting 8 houses from the VII, we land on your natal House II. The Venus/Pluto conjunction (extreme wealth) confirms a massive influx of capital for this nephew. ”
Case Study #5
Case #5: The Maternal Aunt's Health
Question asked
Will my aunt on my mother's side recover from her operation?
Celestial Data
House XII (maternal aunt) in Scorpio. Natal House V (6 of 12) with Mars in fall in Cancer.
Astrological Analysis
“ The maternal aunt (the mother's sister: 3 of 10) is House XII. Her health is read in her House VI (6 of 12), namely your natal House V. Mars (surgery, inflammation) in fall indicates that the operation will be complicated and that recovery will require a great deal of time and energy. ”
Warnings and Ethics
Dilution of the symbol: In theory, one could look for 'my uncle's ex-wife's dog'. In practice, beyond two derivations the astrological meaning becomes blurred. Stay focused on direct links.
The ethical question: Prying into your ex-wife's finances or your brother-in-law's secrets without their consent is voyeurism. Astrology demands nobility of soul.
The Natal Chart Always Prevails: A derived house shows YOUR perception of a person through your own chart. It will never replace that person's actual natal chart.
Astrological
Red Line
Red Line
The Integral Matrix
“ Derived houses turn astrology into a breathtaking holographic language. A simple wheel of 12 sectors is enough to tell the story of an entire family. ”
“ To understand this technique is to touch a fundamental spiritual reality: nothing is separate. Your maternal aunt's health and your ex-husband's money are part of the same great celestial algorithm. ”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If I have three brothers, how can House III describe them all?
House III describes siblings in general. To individualise, tradition assigns the III to the eldest, then you jump in twos (House V for the second, House VII for the third).
Are the lunar nodes taken into account in derived houses?
Yes. A South Node in the derived house of your ex-spouse's finances may indicate that they are undergoing an inevitable karmic or material loss.
Should you use Placidus or Whole Signs?
Derived houses work better with the Whole Signs system, because the technique was conceived in the Hellenistic era when 1 House = 1 Sign.
Can derived houses be used in synastry?
Yes, derived houses considerably enrich the analysis in synastry. For example, House VIII (derived from the VII) represents the partner's finances, and House IX (3rd derived from the VII) their siblings. This technique lets you read, within your own chart, information about your spouse's loved ones.