Chart houses

Check the cusps and the actual system houses.

Screenshots show the Ukrainian app interface. The English guide describes the same controls.

Screenshots of sample charts

What it is and why it matters

Houses divide the chart into sectors that are used in astrological practice to address different themes of life. The table shows the exact boundaries of these sectors so that it is clear to which house the point is assigned.

When to use it

When the planet stands near the boundary of the house.
When you need to compare two systems houses or check the sensitivity chart to time.

Terms explained

House and cusp: Houses are the twelve chart sectors associated with life topics in astrological practice. A cusp marks the beginning of a house; its position depends on the time, location and house system.
Asc and MC: The Ascendant (Asc) is associated with the intersection of the ecliptic and the eastern horizon. The Midheaven (MC) is associated with the upper part of the local meridian. Both depend on time and location.

Where to find it

The right panel is “houses”.

How to use it

Open the tab “houses”. In a chart with multiple circles, select the circle you want to check.
Read the position of each cusp and the Asc and MC angles.
To change the system, open “Calculation Settings”, select another system and return to the table.

Zorya Astro interface: Chart houses — Chart houses. Select the image to view it at full size.

Settings and options

Select an option to learn how it works and when to use it. The label beside its name shows whether it affects calculations, chart appearance or data.

House systemCalculation

Houses are the 12 sectors of a chart. In astrology, they represent topics such as identity, resources, relationships and work. The house system determines the boundaries of these sectors, called cusps. You choose it separately from the zodiac.

What changes: Changing the system moves the cusps. A planet’s house, house rulers and formulas involving cusps may change. Choosing a different house system does not itself move a planet through the zodiac. Asc and MC do not coincide with the first and tenth house cusps in every system.
When to use it: For beginners: keep Placidus for your first chart unless your textbook specifies another system. For practitioners: use the system required by your method and record it in your report. Select the same system when comparing programs.
Example: Suppose Asc is at 18° Taurus. In Equal houses, the first house starts at 18° Taurus; in Whole sign houses, it starts at 0° Taurus. A planet at 10° Taurus may be assigned to a different house even though its longitude has not changed.

Available options

Placidus: Division of diurnal semi-arcs; the default for a new chart.
Koch: Division based on the rising time of the MC degree.
Porphyry: Each quadrant of the ecliptic is divided into three equal parts.
Regiomontanus: Projection of equal divisions of the equator through the horizon.
Campanus: Division of the prime vertical passing through the east point and zenith.
Equal houses: Equal 30° houses starting at the exact Asc.
Whole sign houses: The entire sign containing Asc becomes the first house.
Alcabitius: Division of the Asc semi-arc on the equator.
Morinus: Transformation of equal equatorial divisions into ecliptic coordinates.
Topocentric: The Polich–Page algorithm, similar to Placidus.
Meridian: Equal right-ascension steps from the meridian.
Vehlow: Equal 30° houses, with Asc in the middle of the first house.
Sripati: Boundaries halfway between the Porphyry cusps.
Krusinski–Pisa–Goelzer: Projection of divisions of the Asc–zenith circle.
Horizontal: Projection of equally spaced horizon directions.
APC: Division of the parallel of declination through Asc.
Equal houses from MC: Equal 30° houses, with MC beginning the tenth house.
Equal houses from 0° Aries: The first house always starts at Aries.
Carter, poli-equatorial: Equal right-ascension steps from Asc.
Pullen, sinusoidal delta: Unequal quadrant division using sinusoidal differences.
Pullen, sinusoidal ratio: Unequal quadrant division using sinusoidal ratios.
Sunshine (Treindl): Houses calculated with the Sun’s declination taken into account.

The same demo chart after selecting “Total characters”: compare the boundaries of houses with the Placidus screenshot above.

At a latitude where the selected system cannot be calculated, Zorya Astro reports a fallback to Porphyry. Check the system actually used in the Houses tab. The Topocentric house system and the Topocentric positions setting control different calculations.

Swiss Ephemeris: Geometry of Houses Systems (§6.2) ↗

Link to this control

Cusp / Size / AnglesAppearance

A cusp begins a house; its size is its arc in degrees. Asc, Dsc, MC and IC are the chart’s geometric angles.

What changes: The level houses have 30°, other systems can give uneven. The signature “instead...” informs about the actual replacement of the non-calculating system.
When to use it: If the house of the planet does not match the expected, first check these boundaries and the actual system.

Link to this control

The result

The table will show cusps for current chart parameters.

Worked example

This is a teaching example; results for your chart may differ.

Situation: You doubt whether the planet belongs to IX or X house.
What to do: Compare its longitude with cusps and check the chosen system.
How to read the result: The result will explain the attribution to house in this calculation; another system may give another limit.

For professional practice

Useful for control of angles, relocation and study of birth time options.

What to check for a precise comparison

Consider the actual system used, especially for warnings about replacement at high latitude.

Keep in mind

At high latitudes, some houses systems cannot be calculated. Pay attention to the warning about replacing the system and the signature of the actually used system.