Houses/Bhavas

The basic Vedic astrology chart will show the placement of the Grahas in the 12 bhavas/houses, and the alignment of the 12 Rashis with those 12 bhavas/houses. From this very simple and profound schematic representation of the solar system at the time of birth springs forth a great number of calculations and considerations. Those, in turn, spin off a very elaborate web of interactions and relationships formed by the numerous significations of the Grahas, Bhavas/houses and Rashis. Through this process, Jyotish is capable of expressing a rich range of human experiences, including contradictions of all sorts, and thereby doing full justice to the diverse and subtle aspects of life. In the case of physical correspondence, the full body is mapped to the chart. The first house corresponds to the part of our body that is born first (the crown of the head), the second house to the face, etc. upto the 12th house which corresponds to the feet. The Rashi correspondence maps the zodiac itself to the chart.The First house corresponds to the first sign Mesha-Aries, the second house to the second sign Vrishabha -Taurus, etc.

The first house – Tanu/Body bhava
The first house represents the birth itself, becoming an individual.It represents life overall, the self, and the whole body. Whatever influences the first house will have its impact on the entire life, the personality, the body and the complexion. Events happening during and shortly after birth also belong to the 1st house.
Physically, the 1st house corresponds to the 1st part of our body, the head in general, and the skull and brain in particular. The correspondence with Mesha (Aries) adds physical mobility and overall strength.
The second house – Dhana/Money bhava
The second house represents the family we are born into, which we get immediately after birth. Along with the family we also get the social status of that family that determines to a certain extend our financial future. Therefore wealth is signified too.Physically, the face is part of the body next to the skull. The face, eyes, nose, and mouth are all signified here, and so are eating and speaking which are done with the mouth.The correspondence with Taurus, (fixed, Earthy and ruled by Shukra (Venus)) adds to the signification of wealth and luxuries.
The third house – Bhandhu/Bhai/Brother bhava
The third house represents the interaction with siblings and is a very important part of the early life experience (before school years). It is a great journey of exploration and discovery, learning how to communicate, and building up strength and independence.Physically, the next parts of the body are the shoulders and arms. The significance of arms and hands also bring in manual dexterity.The correspondence with Mithuna (Gemini) adds communication.
The fourth house – Mata/Maa/Mother bhava
The fourth house represents the full awareness of having a home and mother which are the next significant experience. The home environment and extensive interaction with the mother, cultivate a frame of mind, and the emotions of the individual. The mind and emotions are in turn the basis for happiness. Physically, next in line is the chest, including the heart and lungs. The signification of heart reinforces the significance of emotions. The correspondance with Karka (Cancer) adds a connection with water and bodies of water, and again reinforces the signification of mind and heart.
The fifth house – Putra/son bhava
The first step away from home is school. The fifth house represents education and learning, intelligence and one’s mental inclinations.The liver, stomach, and spleen are next after the chest. Note that the division between the 4th and 5th house corresponds to the diaphragm that separates the chest from the space below. The liver is an extremely intelligent and complex organ that regulates a lot of chemical processes in the body. The liver is also able to re-grow itself if parts are removed. This supports the fifth house signification of intelligence, and adds creativity. Simha (Leo) is the corresponding sign, and adds to the signification of intellect (Surya represents the brain).
The sixth house – Ari/Enemy bhava
Once we build a social structure through the school environment, we are likely to make friends and enemies. Close friends we bring home, and are also signified by the 4th house. The enemies are signified by the 6th house. Enemies also bring worries and anxieties.The hips and small intestines are under the stomach. The small intestines have the capacity to extract nutrition, but keep out bacteria from the food. A job like that in the world outside would be an incredible painstaking task! The sixth house represents service, detailed work, problem solving and making a medical diagnosis.Virgo corresponds to the sixth house. The discriminative, detailed and orderly nature of the 6th house is reinforced.
The seventh house – Yuvati/Bharya/ Wife bhava
The 7th house is opposite of the 1st. The act of marriage takes us as far away as possible from who we are by ourselves: it is an agreement to live with, to accept, to love and to support someone who may be totally different than yourself. The marriage brings about relations with the in laws, and people in general. Marriage is also likely to bring travel, as at least part of the family is not under the same roof.The lower part of the belly (the region below the navel according to Parashara) is next in line. This includes the large intestines and kidneys.Libra corresponds to the 7th house. Movable, ruled by Shukra (Venus), it reinforces the significations of marriage, social interactions and travel. You have the Sun in this house, therefore it is an important house.
The eighth house – Aayu/Life period/Age bhava
After marriage, a lot of readjusting is required. There is a separation of the family one was born in, and one’s own stability and integrity is tested. It is a stage in life that can be very vulnerable. If one does things right at this stage, the foundation is in place for a long healthy life. This stage is a junction point of past and future, and the 8th house indicates Astrology for that reason.The 8th house corresponds to the lowest part of the trunk, the genitals, anus and eliminatory system.Scorpio corresponds to the 8th house. Fixed, but ruled by the forceful Mars, add the signification of sudden calamities to the 8th house. On the positive side, the sharp and analytical Mars can also add an element of research to this house.
The ninth house – Dharma/Bhagya/ Fate/Luck bhava
The ninth house starts the third group of 4 houses. Supposingly, the person is settled and is establishing his life purpose at this stage. It is a time for getting deeply tuned to one’s Dharma (path) in life. The transformative qualities of the 8th house settle into a coherent pattern in the 9th house.The 9th house corresponds to the upper part of the legs, the thighs.Sagittarius corresponds to the 9th house. The ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter, adding higher education and fortune to it’s significations. You have the Moon in this house, therefore it is an important house
The tenth house – Karma/work bhava
The tenth house represent the working years, the time of life one is fully productive and career oriented. The 10th house represents the source of livelihood, the everyday work we do. It is the most active house, and is generally connected with the way we do things, and the way the outside world labels us.The 10th house corresponds to the 2nd part of the legs, the knees.Capricorn corresponds to the 10th house. Saturn, it’s ruler, signifies routine work, and the movable property adds to the active nature of the 10th. The element of Earth ties the 10th house down to mostly physical and materialistic matters.
The eleventh house – Labha/profit bhava
The eleventh house represents the fruits of our actions: income, and general fulfillment of desires. It also represents the years after the career is over, enjoyment of a pension, having time to spend with friends, following up on aspirations that have been lingering. The 11th house relates to the 3rd part of the legs, the calves and shins. The 11th house corresponds with Aquarius. The air quality gives this house some volatile characteristics (aspiration, hopes). Saturn represents the return of good investments made in life (such as building up a pension). It also adds older siblings and older people in general.
The twelfth house – Vyaya/expenses bhava
The twelfth house represents the final stage of life, and the inevitable death that concludes it. Any kind of loss or expenditure is signified by the 12th. Positive applications include investments, donations, and getting rid of unwanted things. Negative applications are death, losses, unexpected expenses, theft. The 12th house represents the last portion of the legs, the feet.The 12th house corresponds to Pisces. Jupiter adds a spiritual value to the 12th, and the loss of bondage to the relative aspect of life is indicated: enlightenment or in Sanskrit “Moksha”. You have the Lagna lord in this house, therefore it is an important house.