The Campanus House System
Campanus of Novara, whom the Campanus house system is often attributed to
What is a House System and Why Do They Matter?
A house system is the method astrologers use to divide the sky into twelve distinct segments, each representing a different area of life. While all Western astrologers use houses, there are many different ways to calculate where those houses fall. These calculations change the orientation of the chart and, as a result, some planets may appear in different houses depending on which system of division is used. These differences shape how we interpret someone's life story.
Some of the most commonly used systems include Placidus, Whole Sign, Equal, Koch, Porphyry, Alcabitius, Regiomontanus, and Campanus. Traditional astrologers tend to favor Whole Sign for its alignment with Hellenistic techniques. Modern and psychological astrologers often default to Placidus due to its long-standing popularity and quadrant-based logic. Campanus is less commonly used today, but it has a long history dating back at least the 13th century. It was championed by Dane Rudhyar, a noteable pioneer of Jungian astrology, and is the system currently used by popular modern astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo.
Choosing a Preferred House System
There is no universal standard in astrology when it comes to house systems. Each one divides space and time from a different mathematical or symbolic framework. Many astrologers find their way to a preferred system through study, experimentation, or a mix of both.
Some test various house systems on their own chart or client work over time. Others explore the geometry, history, or philosophy behind each system and choose based on alignment with their values. My own preference emerged through this kind of inquiry. After reading Alexander Boxer’s A Scheme of Heaven: The History of Astrology and the Search for Our Destiny in Data, and later speaking with him directly, I began to see how Campanus offered a geometric and spatial orientation that felt deeply consistent with my philosophy and the aims of my own practice. In brief: I find Campanus to be the most mathematically and spatially satisfying house system.
Animation by Walter D. Pullen.
What Sets Campanus Apart, and Why I Use It
Campanus divides the prime vertical [the great circle running east to west through the zenith] into twelve equal 30-degree arcs. These divisions are then projected onto the ecliptic to create the house cusps. This approach emphasizes the physical, three-dimensional relationship between the observer and the sky. It is based on equal divisions of space as seen from Earth, using the horizon and zenith as anchoring points.
Campanus may be one of the most spatially accurate house systems, accounting for the full surface of the Earth without breaking down at extreme latitudes [unlike Placidus]. It may also be older than Placidus, possibly dating back to the 10th century.
This perspective aligns with my evolving philosophy. As a psychological astrologer, I am interested in systems that reflect both symbolic meaning and embodied reality. Campanus bridges those worlds. It gives form to the idea that the chart should reflect the human experience as it is lived on Earth, not just as it is abstracted through tradition or prediction.
Dane Rudhyar’s belief that the human body’s relationship to space should inform house meanings further solidified my trust in this system. He saw astrology not as something distant or detached, but as something experienced through the body and grounded in space. Campanus reflects that approach in its geometry.
“Table 8.3: Geometric Properties of the Different House Systems” from A Scheme of Heaven by Alexander Boxer (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), p. 197. Used under fair use for educational and commentary purposes.
Why I Don’t Adapt a Client’s Preferred House System
I don’t offer readings in other house systems. This is not because I believe other systems are invalid, but because I believe consistency matters. Bouncing between systems based on client preference would dilute the symbolic language I work with and make my interpretations less coherent over time.
If you prefer another house system, you may still find value in a Campanus reading. In fact, it might offer new insight into your chart that your usual system doesn’t reveal. That doesn’t make Campanus more “right” than what you’re used to, but it does mean that stepping outside of your regular lens may open new pathways of understanding. My goal is not to override your beliefs, but to offer a distinct perspective rooted in a system I know well and use with intention.
Will My Chart Look Different Than I’m Used To?
Possibly. If you’re used to Whole Sign houses, there’s a good chance that several of your planets will fall into different houses in a Campanus chart. That’s because Whole Sign assigns an entire sign to each house, while Campanus is quadrant-based and accounts for the Earth's orientation at the time and place of your birth.
If you’re used to Placidus or another quadrant-based system, the differences will likely be smaller. You might see one or two planets shift into neighboring houses, or you might not notice much change at all. In my experience, most Placidus and Campanus charts look quite similar, though sometimes there are notable shifts.
No matter what changes, I always walk clients through these differences in session so you know exactly what you're looking at and why it matters.
An astrolabe, an instrument formerly used to make astronomical measurements
Respect for All House Systems
Astrology is not a monolith. Every house system has a lineage, a logic, and a community of practitioners who use it with care. My use of Campanus is not a rejection of those systems. It’s simply a choice that reflects how I work best.
I don’t believe astrology is “one size fits all.” I do believe in clarity, rigor, and working from a framework that supports the kind of insight I aim to offer. If another astrologer uses a different system, that doesn’t make their work less valid. It simply means they’re using a different lens to view the same picture.