9/18/21, 11:30 PM Polar Birth: Analysis Of Five House Systems For Sophia Green International Astrologer VOLUME 44,
r VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3, 2015
Polar Birth: Analysis Of Five House Systems For
Sophia Green
Alova
Abstract: Astrological charts using five different house systems were calculated for a woman born
above the Arctic Circle. Standard astrological interpretation principles were used to determine how
well her life experience fit the charts. Results showed that the Equal-Ascendant and Krusinski house
systems described her life experience poorly, Natural Graduation and Porphyry mildly satisfactorily,
and Progressive Topocentric very well.
The problem of how to construct a chart for a birth at polar latitudes has been addressed in
previous articles and by many house systems. Some astrologers avoid the issue entirely by using
heliocentric charts (which do not depend on location, so everyone born on Earth at a given moment
has the same chart) or by interpreting only the quadrants or the angles between planets. Many
house systems have been proposed, both space-based and time-based, but most of them are
undefined for polar births at some times. The geocentric house systems that can construct a chart
for virtually all times and places are (in alphabetical order): Equal, Krusinski (1), Natural Graduation
(2), Porphyry (3) , and Progressive Topocentric (4).
A woman born in Greenland above the Arctic circle, whom I shall call “Sophia Green,” had several
astrology readings but the interpretations did not fit her life experience very well. She said,
“Through the years when I have talked to different astrologers, I got a mental picture of who I
should be, and I got this itchy feeling inside that it doesn’t fit. So I tried to be a person that I’ve heard
that I should be in some way, and then there was a protest from inside that it’s fiction. So I wanted
to get down to the root to get rid of this mental picture of myself that I have learned through these
studies or talking to astrologers.” Her birth time was known (5). She gladly agreed to allow her
information to be used in this article.
For this study, I constructed her birth horoscope using the five different house systems that can be
used for all times and places. The Equal system version based on the Ascendant was chosen
because it is most widely used, and the original Natural Graduation system by Colin Evans was
used. Then the astrological interpretations of each of these five charts were compared with her
actual life experience. Here are the five charts (6):
The five systems result in very different house cusps, and therefore the planets fall into different
houses. The first part of this analysis considers only the planets’ house positions, with
interpretations which astrologers of East and West agree upon. It is independent of whether the
sidereal or tropical zodiac is used.
All planets change house position in at least one of the house systems considered. I calculated each
chart, and then made a list of what houses each planet could appear in. My list did not include
which house system corresponded to which positions, and I did not look at the charts during
questioning, in order to avoid bias during questioning. In order to avoid any bias on Sophia’s part, I
tried to construct questions whose astrological roots would not have been obvious, in case she
might have already had an opinion such as, “My Moon is in X house, not in Y house.” I asked the
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9/18/21, 11:30 PM Polar Birth: Analysis Of Five House Systems For Sophia Green International Astrologer VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3, 2015
questions in random order, often jumping from topic to topic so it would not be evident which
planet or house the question referred to. I also focused my questions toward external facts, such as
occurrences and other people, rather than on inner, subjective questions. In all, there were over a
hundred questions and answers.
Afterward, I compiled the planet-house positions, standard astrological interpretations, questions
and answers, and house systems, into the following tables. Abbreviations used are: E for Equal, K
for Krusinski, NG for Natural Graduation, P for Porphyry, and PT for Progressive Topocentric. Sophia
unknowingly made some comments that were remarkable indications for one or more house
system over another. Her comments and the astrological significance are in bold.
Methods of Advanced Stellar Astrology
Using Advanced Stellar Astrology allows us to additionally analyze the three planetary rulers of each
house cusp. The small constellation ruler and the “little ruler” (6) are relevant only when using the
stellar sidereal zodiac. Just as Aries has a planetary ruler Mars and Taurus has Venus, the twenty-
seven small constellations each have a planetary ruler, which is just as important a house ruler as
the large constellation ruler. Symbols for the small constellations are shown in case readers are not
familiar with them, as well as their rulers.*
In addition, the little rulers indicate specifics about the person’s house. For example, the 2nd house
governs speech, and if the little ruler is Saturn, the person speaks little, authoritatively, and can
keep secrets, whereas if the little ruler is Moon, the person speaks about feelings and moods, and
cannot keep secrets.
At the time of Sophia Green’s birth, some of the house cusps move quite rapidly. Since her exact
birth time could easily be ten minutes off due to a clock being fast or slow, all the houses change
little rulers and these are therefore not analyzed here, except for the 9th and 11th houses which
are of special interest because of information she happened to reveal in conversation. For the 9th
and 11th houses, the little rulers are listed as well. The 9th house is used herein as the primary
significator of the father in his role as mentor and teacher. (The father’s role as mother’s husband is
signified by the 10th house.) Tables follow on following pages.
Summary
On the next page is a chart summarizing how well each of the five house systems fits Sophia
Green’s life experience. A simple scoring system is used, with +1 if the description fits, -1 if the
description does not fit, 0 if it is ambivalent, and +2 if it fits especially well.
Considering only the planet house positions, the Equal-Ascendant and Krusinski house systems do
not describe her life experience well (0). The Natural Graduation and Porphyry house systems
describe her life experience somewhat satisfactorily (+4). The Progressive Topocentric house system
describes her life experience quite well (+9).
These results become further spread out when Advanced Stellar methods are included, with Equal
scoring +1, Krusinski - 2, Natural Graduation +1, Porphyry +3, and Progressive Topocentric +17.
Advanced Stellar Astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, the large and small constellations (nakshatras),
and the little rulers (kalanshas).
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The disparity in scores was quite marked. This is the first case I have had with a live person born at
polar latitude interested in giving in-depth responses. The relative scores actually mirror quite well
my astrological experience over the years of using many different house systems, but this is the first
opportunity to apply research techniques to a known case.
Most importantly, Sophia said, “My goal has been to find a house system that works, and I feel that I
have achieved this.”
This study highlights the need to choose a house system based not on how it looks, or what we
think of the theory, but rather on how well our tried-and-true astrological interpretations bear out
in real life. The equal house system looks very nice and has very reasonable theory, but the house
interpretations for Sophia were poor. The Natural Graduation house system is also very appealing
and reasonable, but the house interpretations for Sophia are marginal, as are those for the
Porphyry house system. The Krusinski house system is relatively new, but did not match Sophia’s
life well. The Progressive Topocentric house system is also relatively new, and is time-based (as are
Placidus and Koch), and its house cusps mirrored Sophia’s life best in this study.
It is also very important to note that a house system (or time of birth) cannot be decided upon by
only one—or two or three—astrological questions. Sophia doubting her desires and leaving groups
is shown by Neptune in the 11th opposite Mercury and square Moon, not only by the 11th house
cusp position. Deceptive, treacherous teachers can be shown by Pluto or Dragon in the 9th house,
or harsh aspects to certain occupants of the 9th house, not only by the 9th house cusp. The
questions asked can only address one possible configuration at a time, and therefore it is necessary
to address many questions in order to draw a conclusion. It is quite surprising that one house
system in this study matched all of her answers except one.
I encourage all astrologers to try these house systems, at all latitudes, and share our experience.
Equal and Porphyry house systems are commonly available, Krusinski is included in several charting
services, Natural Graduation is included in StarLogin (2), and Progressive Topocentric is included in
Kepler and Sirius (8).
References
1. The Krusinski house system uses the standard Ascendant as the 1st house cusp and Midheaven
as 10th cusp, and then divides the great circle passing through the zenith and Ascendant into equal
sections. www.astrologia. pl/house-system.html
2. The Natural Graduation house system uses the standard Ascendant as 1st cusp and Midheaven
as 10th cusp. It then divides the ecliptic in a graduated manner so that the sizes of the houses go
smoothly from small to medium to large, with the largest house being the succedent house of the
largest quadrant and the smallest house being the succedent house of the smallest quadrant.
Calculations are given and variations discussed here: alt.astrology.
moderated.narkive.com/ePEefPGn/new-waites-compendium- natural-graduation-system, and
diagrams with additional references are given here: astrowisdom.net/ articles/natural-graduation-
house-system.php.
3. Porphyry house system uses the standard Ascendant as 1st cusp and Midheaven as 10th cusp,
and then trisects each quadrant to form the intermediate houses. Most charting software
automatically converts the house system to Porphyry at polar latitudes (often without notifying the
viewer).
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9/18/21, 11:30 PM Polar Birth: Analysis Of Five House Systems For Sophia Green International Astrologer VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3, 2015
4. Progressive Topocentric uses the standard Midheaven as 10th cusp, and a progressive
adjustment of the pole of the Ascendant and other house cusps. It is time-based, and house cusps
are very close to Placidus cusps for non-polar latitudes. Alova, Astrology for All Latitudes: A New
Topocentric House System, ISAR International Astrologer, Leo 2010, or
astrowisdom.net/articles/astrology- for-all-latitudes-new-topocentric-house-system.php.
5. Sophia Green was born on June 9, 1970, at 8:35 pm, geographic latitude 70N29.6, longitude
21W58.1.
6. Sirius 2.0 was used to construct the charts shown for Equal, Krusinski, Porphyry, and Progressive
Topocentric (called “Alova-Topocentric”). Michael Rideout graciously provided the Natural
Graduation cusps using StarLogin.
7. The “little ruler” is also known as the kalansha (kalamsha), or “sub.” It is based on the Vinshottari
Dasha system of Vedic astrology. Krishnamurti, K.S., Reader No. 2 Fundamental Principles of
Astrology, 8th ed. (1977). The little rulers are included in Kepler Workshop,
www.astrosoftware.com/, and information is also available at astrowisdom.net/zodiac.php.
8. Kepler and Sirius are available from www.astrosoftware.com/.
Biography:
Alova began the study of Astrology at the age of seventeen and already had a feel for the subject.
She has maintained a private practice since 1989, focusing especially on soul purpose. She also
enjoys using astrology to find lost objects and plan important events. She has a fervent desire to
help restore Astrology to its proper place as a valid and useful discipline, and is an avid researcher
and teacher. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Physics. E-mail: [email protected]
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