The birth chart in Vedic astrology is divided into 12 houses (Bhavas), each representing a specific area of life. The first house is determined by the rising sign (Ascendant) at the time of birth, and the rest follow in order around the wheel.
The 1st house governs self, body, and personality; the 2nd, wealth and family; the 3rd, courage and siblings; the 4th, home and mother; the 5th, creativity and children; the 6th, health and service; the 7th, partnership and marriage; the 8th, transformation and longevity; the 9th, wisdom and father; the 10th, career and status; the 11th, gains and friends; and the 12th, loss, spirituality, and liberation.
Planets placed in a house influence that area of life. A strong, well-placed planet can bring success and ease, while a afflicted or weak planet may bring challenges. The house lord—the planet that rules the sign on a house cusp—also plays a key role in how that house manifests.
Houses are further classified as angular (1, 4, 7, 10), succedent (2, 5, 8, 11), and cadent (3, 6, 9, 12). Angular houses are considered the most powerful and are associated with visible, active life areas. Understanding the 12 houses is essential for any serious study of Vedic chart interpretation.