A hemisphere is a way to divide the chart into halves.  We have talked about the line that is the Ascendant to the Descendant, and the MidHeaven to the Lower Midheaven or IC.

The line that divides the chart from the Ascendant to the Descendant form two halves of the "pie."  The lower part of the chart is called the Northern Hemisphere, and the upper part of the chart is called the Southern Hemisphere.  The Northern Hemisphere will include the Houses 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.  The Southern Hemisphere will include the Houses 7,8,9,10,11 and 12.

The Northern Hemisphere (Houses 1-6) is focused on Me and Self in life.  Planets in this hemisphere in the natal chart and by transit will be about the individual's growth as the primary goal and focus.  Energies here are directed first internally and then striving for outward expression.  This hemisphere first becomes aware of self, then learns self-reliance and outward expression.  A simple example would be that the individual first reaches out, then touches a blanket, feels the softness, smiles and finds comfort and warmth with the blanket.  The task of this hemisphere is growth and self-awareness.

The Southern Hemisphere (Houses 7-12) includes socialization, society, and other people in the individual's life.  Planets in this hemisphere in the natal chart and by transit will focus on things that are outside the self and the individual's place and experiences in the outer world (as opposed to the internal world in the Northern Hemisphere).  Planets in this hemisphere will tend to give up their own opinions, needs, etc., for the benefit of others.  The task of this hemisphere is to balance with the Northern Hemisphere by balancing others with self.

The line that is the Midheaven to the IC divides the chart into East and West Hemispheres.  The Eastern Hemisphere is the side with the Ascendant and includes the Houses 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3.  The Western Hemisphere is the right side of the chart, or the side with the Descendant and includes the Houses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The Eastern Hemisphere (Houses 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3) is focused on self-reliance, initiative, and growth.  Planets in the natal chart and by transit will focus on the individual's own needs with the initiative to satisfy those needs by using the individual's own resources, creativity, critical thinking skills, etc.  This is someone who will prefer to work alone than in groups.  This person will tend to be more thoughtful than social.  The task of this hemisphere is to balance self with others.

The Western Hemisphere (Houses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) is focused on others sometimes to the point of losing its own individuality.  Planets in this hemisphere in the natal chart and by transit will tend to be more socially motivated.  This person will not enjoy being alone and can find it difficult to be interested in anything unless someone else is involved in some way.  The task of this hemisphere is to balance others with self.

As we have talked about blending in this class, what would be an interpretation of a planet in the 7th House?  It would be in both the Southern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.  The energies of both hemisphere would affect the interpretation.

The 7th house would represent society and friends and also an individual who would be socially motivated. Who would do well in social settings in a group setting/partnerships.However the energies would be used up so he would have to balnce the energies between the first and 7th(Self and others)