It is not at all
difficult to divide the heavenly circle into twelve parts. However, it is
debatable as to which of them are to be
the first and the twelfth. Philosophers are of the view that when the sun
starts its journey from the equator i.e. the house of Arics it is directed to
the north and keeps on drifting in the north direction upto three houses namely
Taurus, Gemini and cancer till there is formed a north to south
gap of 23.5 degrees between the equator and the sun which is called spring
equilibrium. It is the time when the climate in the northern world from the
equator becomes temperate. Since the first crop among summer, winter and rains
is the summer and the summer brings rains which in turn causes winters, if in
any year there is moderate summer rainy and winter season also will be moderate
that year. Similarly, if any year has no summers it many have scant or no
rains. As the summer heat starts from the month of April when sun has stepped into the house of Aries the same
will he established as the first celestial house in the heavenly circle. Taking
into consideration the congregation of stars its shape is likened to a ram same
as the ram leads the sheep herd. All houses in the Zodiac are likened to sheep
who one led by a sacred animal i.e. ram and hence it represents the house of
Aries.
House of Taurus: The second stage
When the sun starts from the house of Arieas it comes into
contact with the house of Taurus at the
second stage. Indians call if Brakh Rashi. This house is likened to a bull
which is recognized as the second house of the heaven. It has on its hump the
Pliads i.e. Kritika nakshatra which rises in the east in the months of decmber
and January and is visible till the last quarter of the night. The sun enters
this house in the month of May. The seers established the sign of bull far this
house considering the religious sanctity of this animal. Due to being worshiped
more than other animals it was taken as the symbol of the second celestial house.
House of Gemini: The Third Stage
After the house of Taurus the sun enters its third stage
namely the house of Gemini the
depicted with twin boys joined at
the waist. This house has three very bright starts which are the waist belt.
These stars are clearly visible when looked at after the dusk in winter
evenings at 10-15 degrees from the Pliads in the east. The house is named
Gemini on the basis of the image formed by the cluster of stars. The Greeks
consider the twin boys to be representative of Jupiter.
House of Cancer: The Fourth Stage
After the house of Gemini the fourth house is of cancer seen
blurred in the east and north directions from Gemini. This has been repelled
from all houses to the north. Its shape is imagined as a sea crab. When the sun
enters this house it is directed to the South from the north. It is the time
when the world’s regions northward from
the equator have summer season. This is considered in India the first raining
day. In other countries also such as Iran, Italy, Arbia and Egypt rains start
with this season. Having reached the
equator the sun begins its journey in the house of Aries and gradually moves to
the north by three house. When the sun enters the house of Cancer it is
redirected to the south. As soon as the sun moves to the south there starts
raining reason along with summer. As much as the sun moves to the South the
summer heat gradually recedes till the sum reaches the house of Sagittarius
when climate becomes as temperate as it was during the time of sun’s stay in
the house of Aries because the house of Sagittarius also is situated at the
equator.
House of Leo: The Fifth Stage
When it is scorching summer due to stuffiness and
suffocation during rainy season the sun
enters the fifth stage namely the house of Leo which means lion after which this house has been named.
When these houses were discovered the world was scantly populated. The earth
was frequented by different animals and beasts whose imprints are still found
in the civilized world. Since Lion is frightening and ferocious animal and this
season brings intolerable heat astrologers named this house after lion.
Houses of Virgo: the Sixth Stage
When the sun starts to move from the north to the south it
comes in contact with the house of Virgo at the sixth stage. Its shape has been
imagined as a damsel holding in one hand an ear of hyacinth.
The Greeks considered it to be the goddess of beauty born of sea waves
and water foam.
House of Libra: The Seventh Stage
This house also is situated on the equator when the sun
enters the house of Libra, the seventh stage, it again comes to the equator.
Then the climate in the southern world down the equator becomes temperate which
is known as the autumnal crop point.
This house is likened to a pair of scales with pans and beam. Since day and
night become equal during this period the house is named after a pair of scales
that keep the two pans balanced.
House of Scorpio: The Eighth Stage
Out of twelve celestial houses the brightest and the
most clear one is the eighth house
namely Scorpio. It is likenend to a Scorpion. When the sun enters the house of Scorpio it is redirected
from the north to the south. It is dubbed as inauspicious or ominous house. It
is visible in rain season from dusk to dawn. Its clutches and parts of body and
tail are seen amidst cluster of galaxy. In ancient times, Scorpio symbolized
eternal darkness and bad omen. Greeks sill consider the stay of moon in the
house of Scorpio as inauspicious.
This is the ninth celestial house. When the sun moves ahead
of the house of Scorpio and enters the house of Sagittarius it is redirected
from the north to the South gradually. It is likened to a male who is human up
to the waist while the lower body resembles a neck less horse. The man is
holding an arrow and bow in his hands. Arrow and bow were prominent arms during
the time when the celestial houses were discovered. Imprints of such arms are
still seen in today’s civilized world. It were Greeks who likened this ninth
celestial house to a bow or dhanu due to its significance as a weapon.
House of Capricorn: The Tenth Stage
House of Capricorn is the tenth among twelve celestial
houses. Same as there is intolerable heat in the northern world up the equator
with entry of the sun in the house of cancer there is extreme winter when
it enters the house of Capricorn.
However, the climate in the countries like South Africa and Australia situated
south of the equator is reverse to it. When the sun enters the house of
Capricorn the climate in the southern world down the equator starts to become
hot and when the sun reaches the house of Cancer the climate becomes cold.
However, same as the limit of the house of
Cancer is determined due to repulsion of the sun from the equator by
23-5 degress to the north the limit of the house of Capricorn has been
established due to repulsion of the sum from the equator by 30-5 degree to the
south. This house in shaped by 28 stars which the Greeks liken to a crocodile.
House of Aquarius: The Eleventh Stage
Moving ahead of the house of Capricorn the sun enters the
house of Aquarius. Astrologers have likened it
to a person standing on a patch of heaven with a small bucket in his hand. This house pertains to rains. It
is called ‘aagada bahaar ‘in Iram and mahawat in India. These rains in moderate
amount benefit spring crops.
House of Pisces : The Twelfth Stage
The Twelfth house is
of Pisces. The sun stays in this house from 21st February to 20th March when it
is autumn season. Then starts spring season as the sun enters the house of
Aries. This house is marked by a pair of fish that pertain to water. Since this
season has frequent rains astrologers have likened it to a fish.
Dr. A. Shanker
www.ShankerStudy.com
www.ShankerAdawal.com