I am wondering what house system you feel is the best in your work. With so many different house systems, this can be a pretty daunting decision for a beginner to make so am interested in feedback. I think it's safe to say that Placidus is the most widely used here in the United States, but also know of several Astrologers who prefer the Koch system. I've read that many in the UK prefer equal houses. What do you find to the the most accurate? ...or do you use several depending on your needs?

I am currently taking courses that use the Placidus houses so this is what I will use innitially, but surely will experiment as I become profecient as an Astrologer.

I find that the Koch system works best for me... particularly with transits.

I prefer the Placidus simply because like you, that is what I learned from the beginning and understand. The problem with the Placidus, is that it does not work at all when a chart is for extreme northern or southern latitudes, as the Midheaven is related to the highest point the sun will reach in the sky on the day in question. The same is true of the Koch charts.

There are some astrologers who divide a chart into only 8 houses.

I don't know if you read tarot, but reading an astrology chart is sort of a similar deal. Just like there are many different Tarot layouts, it's based on the reader's preference and what they are looking for and how they interpret the layout.

In other words, it's not a written in stone kind of thing. It's whatever works best for you once you learn the basics and meanings of the planets in the positions they fall and how they relate and affect each other.

I actualled learnt astrology using Placidus but converted to Koch for the reasons mentioned. You are right about the extreme latitudes causing a distortion of the houses... in these cases I use equal house systems and this works for me. I haven't heard of any 8 house systems so would be interested in hearing anything about this!

I agree with what you are saying about using what works for you... as I find that what works for me doesn't work for someone else, and vice a versa. This can only be found through learning the basics and then going on from there through trying different ways of using the tools you have.

A system of eight houses contains 45 degrees; one examines all those things which concern life, the second examines material life, the third examines brothers and sisters, the fourth examines parents, the fifth is about children, in the sixth are misfortune and tribulations, in the seventh- women and in the eighth, destiny and death, which sets an end to life. The eight house astrology system was used by European Gnostics and some Renaissance astrologer/alchemists based on the four elements and four winds.

Thank you for your feedback.... I'll have to find out more about this topic! Very interesting!

I was born at about 60 degrees north latitude so obviously Equal House was my choice. I have since been exposed to Koch, but I don't do a lot of astrology.
Whatever system we use, within reason, is a little like defining the "shape" of a persion using only straight lines tangential to their personal "shape". Draw enough of these lines and the picture emerges. I think that ALL systems, within reason, can give useful results. None is perfect.
Funny thing is, years ago I was at a lecture (astrological convention in Adelaide) and it was about "Overloaded Houses". The examples were in Placidus. I asked what would happen if a different house system was used. The answer was, the effect of the overloaded house was only rendered consistently by the Placidean system.
Now for a house to be overloaded there had to be four or more planets in it. The effect was to put matters pertaining to that House "out of control". But at the same time, the person would be very good at something to do with the opposite house.
Also: As exceptions to the above, Saturn in an overloaded house or in aspect to one or more personal points bestowed extra control.