Twelve House Tarot Spread
The Twelve houses tell us where the action is happening for all areas of life.
The information below can be used as the basis of the astrological tarot spread.
1 Ascendant
Self, personality, physical body, appearance. Independent action
2 Finance
Finances, self-worth, resources (self esteem, value systems, attitude to security, as well as possessions). Resources in terms of security, money, mental attitude of spiritual support.
3 Communication, travel, mind
Communications, local travel, relatives, speculation, logic, mental powers. Information coming from, and into, familiar areas. No surprises.
4 Imum Coeli
Home, houses, environment, old age. The physical body, the end of an issue.
5 Creativity, passion, love affairs
Creative expression, children, sports, romance, pregnancy, artistic pursuits.
6 Health, work
Health, employment, service, domestic routine, diet, breaking habits, duty.
7 Descendant - Partnerships
Partnerships, marriage, the public, business partners, open enemies, court cases.
8 - Death, legal, transformation
Joint finances, legalities, sex, death, legacies. Transformation, beginnings or endings. Birth. Money.
9 - Guru, Long Journeys
Higher education, religion, law, philosophy, social institutions, long journeys. Alien concepts. Books, publishing.
10 MC - Career, success
Prominence, career, honours, social standing - how the community sees you, mother.
11 - society, hope, technology
Hopes, fears, group aspirations, love received, friends, humanitarian endeavours
12 - Fears, Hidden things
Self-undoing, psychological health, subconscious mind, mystical inspiration, institutions, inhibitions, occult. Hidden things. Desire for retreat
The Houses according to Hindu or Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology understands the Houses in ways that reflect our understanding of Elemental Dignities.
Angular (Kendra): 1, 4, 7, 10
Angular houses are similar to Cardinal signs: sharp, energetic, decisive; power for accomplishing or achieving. These four houses relate Fire to the elements in the YHVH order (see table above). The strongest house is the 10th (Fire/Earth), then 7, 4, 1.
Succedent (Panapara): 2, 5, 8, 11
These are moderately strong houses approximately corresponding to the Fixed signs. They show the accumulation of resources, developing stability and reserves. Good for maintaining or developing things. The 5th is strongest (Fire/Fire), then 11, 2, 8.
Cadent (Apoklima): 3, 6, 9, 12
Weak, uncertain or hidden in action, similar to Mutable signs. Good for intelligence, mental sensitivity, adaptability, and spiritual development. Order of strength: 9 (Fire/Fire), 3, 6, 12. Note that in all three groups, Fire aspects are strongest.
Trine Houses (Trikona): 1, 5, 9
Trine Houses are Fiery and optimistic. 9th is strongest.
Increasing Houses (Upachaya): 3, 6, 10, 11
Planets in these houses grow in strength over time. Malefic planets do well in them. The 10th and 11th are strongest.
Houses of Decrease (Apachaya): 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
Here, planets grow weaker over time. The 8th (Fire/Water) is worst.
Weakened Houses (Dusthana): 6, 8, 12
The 8th and 12th Houses are Fire/Water combinations. The 8th is the house of disease, injury, loss or death, while the 12th causes loss and sorrow
While there are significant differences between the two systems of houses, they are both based upon the four elements.
Types of Spread
The simplest form of the 12 house spread has one card in each position. The astrological attribution of the first card will represent the ascendant sign, so if it was the Lust card, then Leo would be the ascendant, and the 2nd house would be Virgo, 3rd would be Libra, and so on.
A more complex version has 3 cards on each position, so you can analyse them as mini three card spreads, that can also relate to the base element of the house.
The full range of cards is to deal the cards out in order onto the twelve bases. Houses 1-6 will have seven cards, while Houses 7-12 will have six cards. Each pile of cards can be paired and counted as in the Opening of the Key Spread.
