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As I said in the Planets page, your Natal, or Birth Chart shows were the planets were when you were born, but it also shows what houses your planets were in. There are twelve of these houses, just like there are twelve signs.

The astrological houses show us which spheres or aspects of life receive more weight than others in your chart. Each astrological house stands for a particular sphere. The house division of a chart varies from person to person, since it is calculated according to the exact time of birth and the geographic position of the place of birth.

The divisions between each house is based once again on the Horizon, Meridian, and Ecliptic lines, imaginary lines running all over the earth. The horizontal line through the middle of the chart divides the sky into the Northern and Southern halves. This line is Horizon line and is based on the local horizon at your time of birth. Perpendicular to that is the Meridian which divides the chart into its Eastern and Western halves. The Ecliptic is the circle around the whole thing.

Where the Ecliptic meets the Horizon we find the Ascendant and Descendant. As the Ascendant is the sign that was rising at the time of your birth, it is on the Eastern side of the chart. Although it represents the East, this is on the left side of the chart. It corresponds to the beginning, or cusp, of the 1st House. On the opposite side in the West, on the cusp of the 7th House, we find the Descendant, the sign that was setting when you were born.

Where the Ecliptic meets the Meridian are the Medium Coeli(MC) and Imum Coeli(IC). Medium Coeli means "middle of the sky" and is the sign that was directly above you when you were born. Imum Coeli then of course is the opposite, the sign directly below you. The MC is on the cusp of the 10th House which corresponds to the Southern end of the chart which is at the top. The IC is then on the cusp of the 4th House in the Northern end of the chart, which is at the bottom.

There are various mathematical models according to which the houses are calculated. There are also several differing house systems such as Placidus, Regiomontanus, Equal, Vehlow, etc. Most of these differ only in the method of calculation used to divide the quadrants. Also, the transition from one house to another is not as clear as the change from one sign to another. Planets occupying a position near the end of a house are often interpreted as belonging to the next.

1st House
Name(s): House of Self, House of Ascendant
Sign(s): Aries
Planet(s): Mars
Key Points: Personality, ego, self-image
Description (from Astrology.net):By thinking in terms of sunrise and new beginnings, one begins to grasp the concepts of the First House. The new beginnings here are centered around the individual: the self and the attendant voyage of discovery which defines a person. Who are you? What will you become? How do you realize your best self? The First House speaks to the realization of one's ultimate potential. This process of becoming a unique individual is one of the greatest contributions we make to the world in which we live.
The distinct qualities which we possess are often referred to as personality. The First House addresses the individual, his or her comportment and approach to life. In other words, the sum total of one's being. This is the package we give to the world. The packaging itself, or our outer being, is also governed by the First House -- think the physical body and the way in which we present ourselves, and in particular, the head and face.
Early childhood is also ruled by the First House. Everything from our earliest steps to our view of the emerging world is considered here. How will we develop? What is our view on life? It all begins at the beginning (the First House) and serves to shape us for all time.
In sum, the First House speaks to the person we are becoming and will become, both internally and externally. It addresses our personality and presentation to the world, our essential qualities, approach to life, demeanor, and basic sensibilities. The inner self and outer body are what the First House is all about. Putting our best step forward? You bet!

2nd House
Name(s): House of Possessions
Sign(s): Taurus
Planet(s): Venus
Key Points: Possessions, values, finances
Description (from Astrology.net): While this speaks to that which we own, it's not limited simply to tangible things. We own our feelings and emotions, as well as our inner selves, abilities, needs, and wants. When we "own up" to something, we are in fact claiming ownership of our greatest possession, our self.
Using our possessions, including material goods, to maximum advantage is also within the realm of the Second House. Our possessions should enhance our lives and those of others in addition to fostering a general sense of well-being. This brings forth the concept of value which is key to the Second House. What do we value, both tangibly and intangibly? Why do we value it? Who do we value? What do we really own? What do we want to own? Why? Our effective resolution of these questions is a large part of what the Second House is all about.
Specific possessions covered by the Second House include earned income and our ability to influence it, investments and moveable property (cars, clothing, jewelry and the like). Debt is also part of the equation here, since we "own" the responsibility to pay our bills. How we view money, the acquisition of wealth (and debt), financial reversals, savings, budgeting, and financial status are all ruled by the Second House.
For those of us who believe that money will set us free, it's interesting to note that this maxim finds a home in the Second House. Personal freedoms as established by financial capability and sensibility are addressed within this House. To a great extent, our possessions and what we do with them help to define us as viable human beings. Taking it a step further, will these material goods help us gain social standing, recognition, friendship, and love? Used properly, they very well might. Therefore, the goal implicit in one's possessions could be defined as the ability to use those possessions honestly and to our best advantage and for the greater good. If our possessions work for us and those around us, what more could we ask? Well, one more question does come to mind: what goes around comes around? Sounds about right!

3rd House
Name(s): House of Communication
Sign(s): Gemini
Planet(s): Mercury
Key Points: Communication, intelligence, sharing
Description (from Astrology.net): In this House, much of the communication is going on between the individual and those he or she holds close: brothers, sisters, as well as neighbors. While communication here can be both written and verbal, it also has a conscious quality to it. Think kindred spirits and mental connectedness. This serves to highlight the role of intelligence within the Third House.
Intelligence, as viewed in this realm, is the analytical ability one possesses within his or her environment, specifically a basic grasp of things and a practical sensibility. We use this intelligence to help us work effectively within our world and with those in it. The Third House reminds us that it's okay to use our conscious skills, as well as a more reflective intelligence, in order to make our way. A symbiotic relationship with those we hold close is also part of the plan. Let's not forget that our minds are powerful, quick, and dexterous. Some things will be well-thought out, others nearly automatic. Maximizing our sum potential is the key.
Early education, effectively teaching us how to think and communicate, is also covered by the Third House, as are short trips. Again, the proximate nature of travel speaks to the intimate nature of the Third House: those we know well, in our environment, keeping that environment tight.
Harnessing our intelligence and sharing it effectively with others is the essence of the Third House. How do we best state our case with others, often those we love the most? Will our actions be true to our environment, and our planet, for all time? This brings to the fore emerging forms of intelligence-gathering, such as computers. Will they make or break communication as we know it? The questions posed by the Third House can be answered by listening to that House: think, process, share.

4th House
Name(s): House of Home
Sign(s): Cancer
Planet(s): Moon
Key Points: Home, family, ancestry
Description (from Astrology.net): When we think of home, we think of that place where we put down our roots. We lay our foundation and plant ourselves firmly into the Earth, as it were. One day, we will return to that very same Earth. The Fourth House brings things full circle by also addressing old age, endings, and our final resting place.
Much of the emphasis of the Fourth House, however, is on the concept of home. By laying down roots, we make a home for ourselves, or more specifically, the self. It's worth noting that in addition to the external home (all the bricks and mortar around us), we have really brought the essential self home. "I'm home." The words themselves have a peaceful ring to them. The self is now centered, grounded, one, and at peace with the Earth. We seek to come home both physically and psychically, for ourselves and for those we love. By creating home, we create a meeting place, a sanctuary, a sacred place for ourselves and for others.
In our home, we integrate the self with all that has come before us and helped to shape what we are today. We create a domestic space which comforts and nurtures us and serves to keep safe those we love. Also important here are family history, cultural and societal norms, and ways of being. All of these are ruled by the Fourth House, as are our ancestry, roots, and heritage. These qualities are brought "home" through us and integrated into the place we call home.
Helping to create the home we make are our parents, for it is they who greatly nurture and shape our being. Therefore, the Fourth House can also be thought of as the House of the Mother, the Parent, or the Nurturer. Looking at things from a strictly tangible point of view, we can see that the Fourth House also encompasses physical structures (houses) and real estate. The Fourth House represents family, history, and traditions. All of these contribute to the process of becoming a true, actualized, and individualized self. This is how we come home.

Sources:
Teach Yourself Astrology, 3rd Ed., by Jeff Mayo
Astrology.net, http://www.astrology.net
Astrodienst, http://www.astro.com