The Houses: Temples of the Sky

by Deborah Houlding

This is a vital addition to any astrologer’s bookcase. Deborah Houlding has been instrumental in bringing traditional astrological techniques back to the forefront of modern day practice. In this hugely popular book she discusses the background of house systems and the meanings of the houses in the context of ancient, traditional and modern astrology. This is an invaluable book and a must for those new to astrology.

Genres: Astrology, Nonfiction, Occult

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2006

Reviews

[Hana the Suburban Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read The Houses: Temples of the Sky at the recommendation of my astrology tutor. This was because I was originally taught the modern astrology style, which conflates each of the houses with each of the signs in order. For example, overlapping Aries themes into the 1st house and Taurus themes into the 2nd house (presumably for the sake of simplicity).
This book helped me to see that traditionally the houses and the zodiac are for more disconnected than they are connected.

What I loved: Gosh, so much - I sticky tabbed the sh*t out of this book. There are so many useful take aways, and fun rabbit holes with references to where that information comes from plus many alternating view points so that the reader ultimately can make their own choice and conclusion based on all the evidence shown.
I loved the clear and concise way the book was laid out, and how easy it was to read.
Adore the house rulership index at the back too!

What I disliked: Honestly, nothing. I think Deborah did a really good job of explaining things even including the different housing systems without showing particular favoritism or shaming a particular system. I did not finish this book 'wanting' for anything to be different.

Overall I think it's heavily underrated in the astro community and would recommend it to any astrologer.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Houses: Temples of the Sky" is the most complete and scholarly book on astrological houses that I've read. It presents a wide panorama of the topic of houses, one of the most debated features of astrology as it exists today, without pushing any particular system as being The One Correct System. In fact, in places it presents some arguments for using one system for a certain purpose, and another system for another purpose, which is consistent with my own experiences with house systems. It provides a helpful history of houses as they are deployed today, and how they arose from the earlier concept of "places", in relation to the angles as we still use them: the Ascendant, Imum Coeli, Descendant and Midheaven. Compared to most other books treating of this topic, I preferred this one by far for its readability, and its skill at pointing out various other threads that find their way into the astrological tapestry along the way.

I would not suggest this book for raw beginners, as there is much else to learn. This is a lot to absorb without a more complete grasp of astrological symbols, relationships and principles. But for the intermediate to advanced student of astrology, this book deserves a place of honor on your bookshelf, along with Simmonite, Robert Hand, Lee Lehman and the other top-shelf authors in this canon.

[Acquafortis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book on Houses

An excellent book on the astrological houses. Their origins, how they got their meaning and a thorough description of why not all houses are created of equal strength and potency.
The book is very well researched with abundant footnotes filled with references. Their is also a helpful appendix of items in alphabetical order and to which astrological house they belong.
Highly recommended : for beginners so you get things straight from the start; for seasoned astrologers so you might understand why certain houses have those meaning and to the modern astrologers to understand why modern interpretation of houses has no astrological and philosophical foundation.

[Ivonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro básico para todo estudiante de astrología. Lo más valioso que encontré en él fue la ruptura de esa tóxica asociación que hace la astrología moderna entre las casas y signos (el alfabeto de 12 letras). En este texto, Houlding explora los significados de las casas desde lo helenístico hasta lo moderno, desmitificando muchas afirmaciones que no tienen fundamento.
Este libro ayuda a entender el rol que tienen las casas en la carta del individuo, no solo desde lo natal, sino en tránsitos y progresiones también. Lo uso para consultar constantemente.

[Joseph]

Finally a book on Houses That gets down to the Nitty Gritty

I've read all the books on houses and belong to some club that believe houses don't work.
But this book shows how house meanings came to be and how they work.
Very edifying and practical.
My favorite house book so far.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference book for any astrologer
Definitely addresses the arguments about which house system to use
Choose which system resounds with you but be humble about your choice.

[C. J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing introduction/overview of all the houses and house systems in astrology. My two biggest complaints is one, a couple times the author refers to the 11th house as “the house of good fortune,” and that’s just wrong. It is “the house of good spirit.” The house of good fortune in the 5th. Two, you can feel her disdain for the whole house system, and idk why. I understand that a few years later she tried to argue that astrologers made this system up in the 90s, but I just don’t understand where this contempt for whole sign comes from. Otherwise, this is an excellent book and an excellent read. Also, it’s very short, and I was able to finish it in only 2 sittings.

[Ana Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for Astrology students. Clear, concise, yet packed with well researched information. It helps deepen our understanding of the houses by explaining their historical origins. It’s on the reading list for my students.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched and captivating. I wanted to start over as soon as I finished! The ancients fundamentally understood and experienced the world differently than we do, and her writing surrounds me with their world.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good refresher on the historical significance and traditional meaning of astrological house systems.

[Evelyn Blackwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful yah buddy

[Tomás Narvaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of the houses, a very principled read that provides a good reference for the houses. She explains very well the origin of the meaning of the houses and provides a solid explanation of their meaning in various contexts. I mean, its Deborah Houlding. She's great.

[Pinar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like to read this book. And recommend everyone who is interested in astrology, mythology, history.

Kolay okunan derli toplu bir kitap. Astroloji ile ilgilenen herkese tavsiye ederim. Astroloji dışında mitoloji ve tarih kısmı da bence yeterince dolu.

Astroloji ile ilgili çok fazla bilgi var, bana "ev sistemleri" arasındaki farkları anlamam için 8. bölümünü tavsiye etmişlerdi. O bölüm biraz karışık ama kitabın tamamı keyifli ve kolay okunuyordu.

Kitabın içinden bazı bölümleri görmek için linki kullanabilirsiniz. http://www.skyscript.co.uk/temples/co...

You can use the link to see sample chapters.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read and a great overview of the houses. I’d recommend strongly to a beginner to intermediate level astrology student, or to someone who is brushing up on the basics (always good to do from time to time.)

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books ever written on the matter
My understanding of the meaning of houses is still not good but the history lesson was much appreciated. So in the end my general astrological knowledge improved.

[Zain Esseghaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping this one close.