The Twelve Houses of the horoscope:

There are twelve signs in the natural Zodiac and 12 houses in the horoscope. All affairs of human life are divided into 12 classes and each class of affair is in the domain of one or the other house of the chart.

Out of the 12 houses the first house or the lagna is the most important of them all. Being the first house all the subsequent houses stand in relation to it. Every thing depends upon the strength or otherwise of this house.

Lal Kitab states that the house is the house of struggle between Maya and Jiva or the soul and matter. In other words it is the house of struggle to get liberation from the shakles of Maya. It is the throne of the ruler. The achievements or failures of the native depend largely upon this house. In Lal Kitab this house also stands for education, intelligence and longevity. Mars is the ruler of the house. Sun is the natural significator. In fact Sun represents the human soul and vitality in the physical body.

Planet posited in house No. 1 aspects the planets in house No. 7 and unburdens itself to some extent provided the house No. 7 is occupied and not vacant. If this house is vacant the planets in house No. 1 become inert. This is also true if the lagna is not occupied. The lagna house becomes inactive or weak. This house has a relationship with house No. 11. If the latter is unoccupied the planet in lagna gives good results. If there are a two or more planet in lagna Venus becomes the judge to decide about the nature of results. In other words Venus gets importance if there are two or more planets in the lagna. Incidentally, house No. 2 is the Dharmasthana or the place of worship. Venus is its ruler. It is but natural that our own deeds or misdeeds come to play their part in the struggle for liberation.

House No. 2 stands is the Dharmasthana or the place of worship. It also has the portfolios of wealth, education, honour and mind. This is the house that stands for the fruits of the karmas or the deeds and misdeeds of the native. Here is the seat of Jupiter the jagat Guru or the preceptor of the world at large.

House No. 9 is considered to be the ocean of Karmas. It is from house No. 9 that the winds laden with water of the Karmas rise and pour it on house No. 2. For good results of House No. 2 the house No. 8 should be vacant or unoccupied. The results are likely to be better if house No. 2 is also vacant. This may appear strange but every thing becomes clear if we go by the assumptions of Lal Kitab. Planets in house No. 2 are aspected by the planets in house 2 aspect the planets in house No. 6. If houses 2, 6 and 8 are all occupied the poison of house No. 8 shall be transferred to house No. 6 through the agency of the aspect of the planets in house No. 2. If houses 2 and 8 are both vacant there is no question of compounding the troubles of 6th house.

House No. 2 gets its strength from house No. 4. Wherever there is a severe onslaught of misfortunes from house No. 9 due to the weakness of Dharmasthana or the Jagatguru or Venus, house No. 4, comes to rescue. In times of adversities we should look towards the strength of 4th house, its lord the natural significator or Karaka Moon who stands for mother as well as mortality and mind. Perhaps mother's blessings may help the native tide over his/her difficulties.

Lal Kitab refers to house No. 3 as the times of exit from this world and the gateway of exit. In other words we come to know about the time of death and its causes. As illness is one of the routine ways of exit we have to judge the illness and diseases from this house. This is an inauspicious and malefic house that way. Malefics in Dusthanas or inauspicious houses are normally considered to be a good placement.

According to Lal Kitab are placements of sinners meaning Rahu and Ketu in house No. 3 is horrible. It is said that even if they are not able to bring about the end itself they shall be competent to bring about death-like position. This may happen when house 3 is occupied by Rahu or Ketu and houses 6 and/or 8 by malefics. In adversities this house gets strength from 12th house even though the planets in 12th house are enemies of the planets in the 3rd house. In a hypothetical case let us assume that Ketu occupies house No. 3 and Mars is posited in house No. 12. Mars is an enemy of Ketu but in emergencies Mars will always help Ketu despite his enmity. Ketu shall have no ill effects upon the native. Likewise Jupiter in the 3rd house and Mercury his enemy, in 12th house will not be able to cause any harm.

On the other hand there will be all round happiness and prosperity. If the houses are occupied by two or more planets we have to assess the harm, in any, in respect of each planet and then draw our final conclusions. Rahu and Venus in 12th house normally being about the death of the partner - wife or husband - in 24/25th year of the native. If Saturn occupies the 3rd house simultaneously Rahu will not be able to play his mischief. Saturn will help Venus.

Mercury is the lord of 3rd house, Mars its natural Significator and Rahu shall have the dignity of exaltation.

House No. 4 is the period of childhood and the prenatal period. It also covers the old age. Moon is the lord and natural significator of the house. It is a well-known assumption that Moon is strong by night. Similar is the position of planets in this house. They are strong by the night and also when there is some trouble. Jupiter gets exalted here. No planet gives bad effects to the affairs of this house if Moon does not occupy and of the house No. 1, 4, 7 or 10. Even the rank malefics like Rahu and Ketu become benefics for this house is Moon does not occupy any of the quandrangular houses. The bad effects of planets in house No. 4 are transferred to the affairs of the house occupied by Saturn.

For the pre-natal period if any if Jupiter, Sun, Mars or Mercury are in 4th house and child will be safe and healthy in mother's womb before birth and even Rahu or Ketu would not be able to spoil that.