Prime Vertical House Division
The Campanus house system, attributed to Johannes Campanus (13th century), divides the prime vertical — the great circle passing through the zenith and the east and west points on the horizon — into twelve equal 30° arcs, then projects these onto the ecliptic. It is a space-based (rather than time-based) system that produces strongly unequal houses in terms of ecliptic arc. Campanus is favored by some astrologers for its coherent spatial geometry and resonance with physical space.
Campanus vs Other Space Systems
| System | Division Basis | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Campanus | Prime vertical | Spatial — zenith-based |
| Regiomontanus | Celestial equator | Equatorial |
| Placidus | Planet semi-arc | Time-based |
Using Campanus in Practice
Campanus is a minority preference among practicing astrologers but is valued by those who find its spatial geometry resonant. The mystic and theosophical astrology traditions (including some work of Dane Rudhyar) have employed Campanus. If you are exploring house systems beyond Placidus and Koch, Campanus offers a meaningfully different perspective — particularly for astrologers interested in the spatial experience of being situated in physical space at a birthplace. Test it against known life events in your own chart.