Introduction to the Eleventh House
The eleventh house in astrology is often referred to as the domain of friendship, community, and hopes. It is a cadent house, which means it is a house that is concerned with the social and collective aspects of our lives. In astrological tradition, the eleventh house is associated with our friendships, our involvement in groups and communities, and our long-term goals and aspirations. This house is also linked to our sense of humanity and our desire to make a positive impact on the world. Research by Emmons (as cited in Emmons and McCullough (2003)) highlights the importance of social connections and community involvement in our overall well-being and happiness.
For example, an individual with a strong eleventh house may be drawn to volunteering or participating in community service, as a way to connect with others and make a positive difference in their community. On the other hand, an individual with a weaker eleventh house may struggle to form and maintain meaningful friendships or feel disconnected from their community.
Computing the Houses
To understand the eleventh house, it's essential to know how the houses are computed in astrology. The houses are calculated based on the individual's birth time and place. The birth time is used to determine the ascendant, or rising sign, which is the zodiac sign that was rising on the horizon at the exact time and location of an individual's birth. The birth place is used to determine the latitude and longitude, which are necessary for calculating the house cusps. Research by Meeus (as cited in Meeus (1998)) explains the mathematical calculations involved in determining the house cusps.
The system needs both the birth time and place because the earth is slightly tilted on its axis, and the rotation of the earth causes the zodiac signs to appear at different angles in the sky at different latitudes. Without both the birth time and place, it would be impossible to accurately calculate the house cusps and determine which planets are in which houses. For instance, if an individual was born at 12:00 PM on a given day, but the astrologer only knew the birth date and not the time, they would not be able to accurately determine the ascendant and subsequent house cusps.
A concrete example of how the houses are computed can be seen in the following scenario: let's say an individual was born on August 12, 1990, at 3:45 PM in New York City. Using the birth time and place, an astrologer can calculate the ascendant as Leo and the eleventh house cusp as Aquarius. With this information, the astrologer can then determine which planets are in the eleventh house and how they may be influencing the individual's friendships and community involvement.
Planets in the Eleventh House
In astrological tradition, the planets in the eleventh house can have a significant impact on our friendships, community involvement, and long-term goals. For example, if an individual has the planet Venus in their eleventh house, it may indicate that they value harmony and beauty in their friendships and community relationships. On the other hand, if an individual has the planet Mars in their eleventh house, it may indicate that they are more competitive and energetic in their social interactions.
Here are some possible interpretations of planets in the eleventh house, labelled as they are in astrological tradition:
- Venus in the 11th house: indicates a strong desire for harmony and beauty in friendships and community relationships
- Mars in the 11th house: indicates a more competitive and energetic approach to social interactions
- Jupiter in the 11th house: indicates a strong sense of optimism and expansion in friendships and community involvement
A practice that readers can try tonight to connect with their eleventh house is to take a few minutes to reflect on their friendships and community involvement. Ask themselves: What are my long-term goals and aspirations? How do I want to make a positive impact on my community? What kinds of relationships do I want to cultivate in my life? By taking the time to reflect on these questions, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their eleventh house and how it is influencing their lives.
Caveat: House-System Disagreements
One important caveat to keep in mind when exploring the eleventh house is that there are different house systems used in astrology, and each system can produce slightly different results. For example, the Placidus house system is one of the most commonly used systems, but it is not the only one. Other systems, such as the Koch house system or the Equal house system, may produce different house cusps and planetary placements. Research by Clear (as cited in James Clear (2018)) highlights the importance of considering these differences when interpreting birth charts.
It's essential to be aware of these differences and to consider the specific house system being used when interpreting the eleventh house or any other house in the birth chart. This awareness can help to ensure a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the individual's astrological profile. For instance, if an individual's birth chart shows Venus in the eleventh house using the Placidus system, but Jupiter in the eleventh house using the Koch system, the astrologer would need to consider the different interpretations of each planet in the eleventh house and how they may be influencing the individual's life.
The evidence honestly supports the idea that the eleventh house is a complex and multifaceted domain that encompasses our friendships, community involvement, and long-term goals. While there may be some disagreement among astrologers about the specifics of the house systems, the overall importance of the eleventh house in shaping our social and collective aspects of life is widely recognized. As research by Gottman and Silver (as cited in Gottman and Silver (1999)) has shown, strong social connections and community involvement are essential for our emotional and mental well-being, and the eleventh house can provide valuable insights into these areas of our lives.