HOUSE SYSTEMS
Campanus
Campanus divides the prime vertical into equal sectors and projects them through house circles onto the ecliptic.
The idea in context
Equal divisions of the prime vertical, the great circle through east, zenith, west and nadir, are projected onto the ecliptic through house circles.
MAKE IT CONCRETE
An example to picture
Two equally spaced divisions on the prime vertical can land at quite different zodiac intervals on the wheel.
How to read it
Read the resulting cusp longitudes and the birth-location context; the drawn sector widths need not be equal.
A common misunderstanding
Campanus divides the prime vertical, whereas Regiomontanus divides the celestial equator. They are distinct spatial methods.
BRING IT BACK TO YOUR LIFE
A question to sit with
How might a spatial view of the chart complement the life-area questions you already bring to it?
Go deeper: the full reference
How to read it
Campanus divides local space rather than equal zodiacal longitude. Its projected houses can therefore have unequal widths and differ from Regiomontanus or Placidus.
Input and calculation limits
The birthplace and birth time determine this local geometry. Near a cusp, compare precise inputs and the chosen system before treating a house change as meaningful.
Compare one choice at a time
Changing the house system changes cusps and may change house assignments. It does not move the planets through the zodiac. These are interpretive frameworks, not measured personality traits or predictions. Private chart settings do not change dating compatibility.
Try reading your own birth chart
Create a free birth chart, select the placement or symbol you are learning about, and read it alongside this lesson. A planet’s sign, house and aspects add context; keep your recorded birth time and chart settings in view.
Connect the ideas
Placidus
A time-based quadrant system that divides the diurnal and nocturnal motion used to define intermediate house cusps. The Ascendant and Midheaven anchor the 1st and 10th cusps.
2 min readWhole Sign
The entire zodiac sign containing the Ascendant is the 1st House. Each following sign forms the next house, with cusps at sign boundaries.
2 min readEqual House
The exact Ascendant degree begins the 1st House, followed by eleven equal 30° sectors along the zodiac.
2 min readKoch
A time-based quadrant system using the birthplace latitude and the diurnal arc associated with the Midheaven to construct intermediate cusps.
2 min read