noon as the Rising Degree, or Ascendant. In the House-divisions so determined are placed the
planets in the positions they tenanted at Greenwich noon on that particular date. Such a
Figure is termed by some: a Heliarc Figure (q.v.).
In any event one should at all times bear in mind that the Signs are divisions of an annual
cycle, beginning with the Spring Equinox; while the Houses arc divisions of a daily cycle of
apparent motions resulting from the Earth's own daily rotation on its axis. Some modern
authorities employ the term Heliarc in lieu of Sign as a subdivision of the Earth's annual orbit,
and Geoarc in lieu of House as the subdivision of the orbit of a given point on the Earth's
periphery round the axis - hence a subdivision of the Earth's daily rotation. Thus the influence
of the Sign-positions, and the pattern of con- figurations resulting from the places the planets
occupy therein, are a common experience of everyone born anywhere on the Earth's surface
upon that day; but the point at which a personality enters into this cycle is an individual factor
which determines the "angle of incidence" at which these cosmic impulses impinge upon his
own consciousness.
Due to the inclination of the polar axis in its relationship to the Sun, the number of degrees
which pass over the horizon in 2 hours varies with the time of year and the latitude of the
place where the birth occurs. While the Midheaven-point moves reasonably steady from day
to day throughout the year, the rising and setting-points vary, lengthening into the "long
winter evenings" and shortening into the so-called "Daylight Saving" period of long days and
short summer nights.
Before considering all the factors entering into the problem of House definition and
terminology, remember that a House is a two- hour segment of a twenty-four-hour cycle,
repeated each day with minor variants. The beginning of the First House is the degree that
from a given point on the Earth's surface was rising above the eastern horizon at a given
moment of time. This point is the Ascendant, just as the opposite point is the Descendant.
Between them is the Mid- heaven, and the opposite point below the Earth, the so-called
Immum Coeli, viz.: the Lowest Heaven. These are the Angles of the Figure. The Houses
which fall away from these Angles are termed the Angular Houses. Note that as your horizon
falls down, the planets - which are thus uncovered - rise up. The next Houses are termed the
Succedent Houses, and these are midway between the Angles. The remaining four Houses,
which precede the Angles, are termed the Cadent Houses. Numerically these are summed up
as follows:
Angular: 1, 4, 7, 10 - the strongest positions in any Figure.
Succedent: 2, 5, 8, 11 - possibly of no less strength than the Angles, though they attract less
public notice.