Astrology Houses
A Guide To The Meaning Of Zodiac Astrological Houses
This is our guide to Astrology Houses In Astrology.
Also known as astrological houses and zodiac houses, they show us the focus and direction which our planet energies play out in our birth charts.
Each house serves its purpose and plays a part in forming your complete natal chart.
Lets deeper look at Astrology Houses.
Astrological Houses – An Overview
A lesser known area of someone’s birth chart is that of the astrological houses.
People that know a bit about their charts might are aware of their sun signs and maybe some planets, but only people that have had a proper chart analysis done will know about their astrological houses.
If the signs of the zodiac show “how” planets express themselves, the houses of the natal chart reveal “where” these energies of the planets play out.
Another way you can look at it could be the planets and signs are the energies and the houses are the focus of those energies.
Each of the twelve houses of a chart rule certain areas of life, types of people and relationships, ideas, and life circumstances.
As with the 12 zodiac signs, there are 12 astrological houses, and each house is an analogy with one of the signs.
However, contrarily to signs, which spread invariably over 30 degrees of the zodiac circle, house sizes in Astrology may greatly vary from one house to the other.
House calculations are based on the exact birth time.
Zodiac House Ruler
- 1st House: Aries
- 2nd House: Taurus
- 3rd House: Gemini
- 4th House: Cancer
- 5th House: Leo
- 6th House: Virgo
- 7th House: Libra
- 8th House: Scorpio
- 9th House: Sagittarius
- 10th House: Capricorn
- 11th House: Aquarius
- 12th House: Pisces
Calculating Astrological Houses
Note: When calculating the houses, it is necessary to know the exact time, date, and location of your birth chart. In natal astrology, some astrologers will use a birth time set for noon or sunrise if the actual time of birth is unknown.
An accurate interpretation of such a chart, however, cannot be expected.
The cutting of the chart into 12 houses, referred to as “House systems”. There are many different variants of house systems that are used from one astrologer to another.
For the purpose of this website, we use the house system Placidus – the most ancient one.
Emphasizing the type of house containing planets in a natal chart helps one to see the chart as a whole. One familiar way of defining the houses is to separate them into the classifications of angular, succedent, and cadent.
The Houses are important because they give focus and direction to planets which fall within them.
Below is an overview table that we will look at in further detail.
List of Astrological Houses Meanings
| House | |
|---|---|
| Ascendant | |
| Ruler Sign | – |
| House of | – |
| Expression | – |
| Experience | – |
| Interpretation | Appearance |
| 1st | |
| Ruler Sign | Aries |
| House of | Self |
| Expression | Action |
| Experience | Identity |
| Interpretation | Identity, characteristics, first impressions. |
| 2nd | |
| Ruler Sign | Taurus |
| House of | Value |
| Expression | Security |
| Experience | Material |
| Interpretation | Material/immaterial things, money, belongings. |
| 3rd | |
| Ruler Sign | Gemini |
| House of | Communication |
| Expression | Learning |
| Experience | Social/Intellect |
| Interpretation | Childhood, education, intelligence, transport. |
| Imum Coeli | |
| Ruler Sign | – |
| House of | – |
| Expression | – |
| Experience | – |
| Interpretation | Foundation |
| 4th | |
| Ruler Sign | Cancer |
| House of | Home/Family |
| Expression | Action |
| Experience | Soul/Emotion |
| Interpretation | Ancestry, heritage, roots, foundations, mothers |
| 5th | |
| Ruler Sign | Leo |
| House of | Pleasure |
| Expression | Security |
| Experience | Identity |
| Interpretation | Recreation, children, romance, creativity, expression. |
| 6th | |
| Ruler Sign | Virgo |
| House of | Health/Service |
| Expression | Learning |
| Experience | Material |
| Interpretation | Service, duties, jobs, employments, health, wellbeing. |
| Descendant | |
| Ruler Sign | – |
| House of | – |
| Expression | – |
| Experience | – |
| Interpretation | Partnership |
| 7th | |
| Ruler Sign | Libra |
| House of | Partnerships |
| Expression | Action |
| Experience | Social/Intellect |
| Interpretation | Close relationships, marriage, business partners. |
| 8th | |
| Ruler Sign | Scorpio |
| House of | Reincarnation |
| Expression | Security |
| Experience | Soul/Emotion |
| Interpretation | Death/Rebirth, sexual/deep relations, joint finances. |
| 9th | |
| Ruler Sign | Sagittarius |
| House of | Philosophy |
| Expression | Learning |
| Experience | Identity |
| Interpretation | Foreign travel/culture, religion, law, higher education. |
| Midheaven | |
| Interpretation | Role In Society |
| 10th | |
| Ruler Sign | Capricorn |
| House of | Social Status |
| Expression | Action |
| Experience | Material |
| Interpretation | Ambitions, motivation, career, society status. |
| 11th | |
| Ruler Sign | Aquarius |
| House of | Friendships |
| Expression | Security |
| Experience | Social/Intellect |
| Interpretation | Friends/acquaintances, groups, higher associations. |
| 12th | |
| Ruler Sign | Pisces |
| House of | Self-Undoing |
| Expression | Learning |
| Experience | Soul/Emotion |
| Interpretation | Self-imposed prisons, hidden self, subconscious. |
| House | Ruler Sign | House of | Expression | Experience | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascendant | – | – | – | – | Appearance |
| 1st | Aries | Self | Action | Identity | Identity, characteristics, first impressions. |
| 2nd | Taurus | Value | Security | Material | Material/immaterial things, money, belongings. |
| 3rd | Gemini | Communication | Learning | Social/Intellect | Childhood, education, intelligence, transport. |
| Imum Coeli | – | – | – | – | Foundation |
| 4th | Cancer | Home/Family | Action | Soul/Emotion | Ancestry, heritage, roots, foundations, mothers |
| 5th | Leo | Pleasure | Security | Identity | Recreation, children, romance, creativity, expression. |
| 6th | Virgo | Health/Service | Learning | Material | Service, duties, jobs, employment, health, wellbeing. |
| Descendant | – | – | – | – | Partnership |
| 7th | Libra | Partnerships | Action | Social/Intellect | Close relationships, marriage, business partners. |
| 8th | Scorpio | Reincarnation | Security | Soul/Emotion | Death/Rebirth, sexual/deep relations, joint finances. |
| 9th | Sagittarius | Philosophy | Learning | Identity | Foreign travel/culture, religion, law, higher education. |
| Midheaven | Role In Society | ||||
| 10th | Capricorn | Social Status | Action | Material | Ambitions, motivation, career, society, status. |
| 11th | Aquarius | Friendships | Security | Social/Intellect | Friends/acquaintances, groups, higher associations. |
| 12th | Pisces | Self-Undoing | Learning | Soul/Emotion | Self-imposed prisons, hidden self, |
House Rulers
House Ruler Sign
Many astrologers assume that the houses relate to and have a natural affinity their corresponding signs. For example;
- First House = Aries
- Second House = Taurus
and so on.
An example of this could be someone who has their Venus in the first house, may come across affectionately on first impressions, whereas someone who has their moon in the first house may be very visible with their emotions.
House Rulers
The house rulers are the general theme which governs the house. These are similarly related to the ruler signs and what those signs represent.
An example of this would be Communication, which is the ruler of the 3rd house. This is due to the influence of the sign Gemini. The sign of Gemini is ruled by Mercury, which is the planet of communication, ideas and how words, ideas are expressed.
House Expression
The angular houses (1, 4, 7, 10) are associated with a self-activating quality and have an immediate impact on the structure of one’s life. The keyword for the angular houses is ACTION. These houses are representative of the cardinal signs.
These houses are often given more attention in a chart than other houses because they form the angular aspects (AC, IC, DC, MC), which are almost as important as the planets.
The succedent houses (2, 5, 8, 11) are associated with individual desires and the areas of life we want to control and consolidate. The keyword for this type of house is SECURITY. These houses are representative of the fixed signs.
The cadent houses (3, 6, 9, 12) are areas where there is input, exchange, and distribution of thoughts and observations. The keyword for these houses is LEARNING. These houses are representative of the mutable signs.
Empty Houses
Empty Houses in Astrology refer to houses in someone’s birth charts that do not contain any planets.
Even though some people worry about empty houses, it simply means that the areas of life that those houses represent do not have significant ‘pull’ or focus in someones life.
Intercepted Houses
Intercepted Houses is when there is a house that skips a sign. For example;
- 10th House In Libra
- 11th House in Sagittarius
So Scorpio would not have a house.
We wrote an article specifically for those people who have intercepted houses.
All The Houses In Astrology
Astrological Houses
Now we can take a look at each of the houses in a little more detail, which touches on many of the points that have been mentioned above
1st House
The first house is not to be confused with The Ascendant/Rising Sign, although it’s easy to see why they often are the two terms are somewhat interchangeable. The First House symbolises the acting self, the personality as it appears to others, and the unfolding of one’s individual destiny. Its beginning point is the rising degree, one of the most significant points in the birth chart. Planets in the First House affect your personality strongly. Aries is the sign that rules the 1st house in the natural zodiac.
The 2nd House
The second house in your birth chart rules money, possessions, material assets, self-worth, attitude towards security, bank and savings accounts, spending and how money is acquired. Emotional and financial security, personal values and principles are all 2nd house issues. Taurus is the sign that rules the 2nd house in the natural zodiac.
The 3rd House
The third house of your horoscope rules all forms of statement and transport. The style and manner of communications, neighbours, siblings and other relatives such as aunts, uncles, and cousins are represented by the third house. Additionally, letters, contracts, telephone calls, computers, early childhood education, certification, papers, books, writing tools, cars, the subway and all forms of short-distance travel are found in the third house. Gemini is the sign that governs the 3rd house in the natural zodiac.
The 4th House
The fourth house of your horoscope rules areas related to home, family and property. Your origins, family background, childhood, inner emotions, fixed properties, home life, the end of life are covered by this house. Mental foundations and condition are also found in the 4th house. This house also covers the one that encourages, which is primarily the mother. Cancer is the sign that governs the 4th house in the natural zodiac.
The 5th House
Children, romance, love affairs, pleasures, enjoyment, sports, games, arts, freedom activities, creativity, performances, holidays, games of chance such as gambling, speculation, financial risks, stocks and investments are found in the 5th house. This is the house of self-expression through creativity. Leo is the sign that governs the 5th house in the natural zodiac.
The 6th House
The sixth house is the house of health and service. General happiness and disease are found here. Positive actions you take for your health such as diet and exercise are also found in the sixth house. Cleanliness, daily work rountine (not the career, as that is a tenth house substance), facility, employees, relations with an employer, anyone who provides a service to you in whatever capacity, domestic pets and your daily routine are related to the 6th house. Virgo rules the 6th house in the natural zodiac.
The 7th House & The Descendant
Marriage, spouse, promised partnerships, one-on-one relationships, business partnership, verbal commitments, opponents, justice, law are included in this house. Whereas the 5th house governs romance and love affairs, the seventh house is about the deep commitment of love. It also shows what you need in a relationship and partner. The cusp of the 7th house is also known as the Descendant and is formed by the horizon line directly across from the Ascendant (1st house). It is found at 3 o’clock on the zodiac wheel. Libra is the sign that governs the 7th house in the natural zodiac.
The 8th House
It is known as the house of rebirth. The eight house covers birth, death, decay, surgery, healing, wills, gifts, inheritance, credit, other people’s money, your partner’s money, child support, taxes, investments, reincarnation, sex and approaches towards sex. As sex is a gift of giving one’s self to another, so sex is found in the 8th house. Scorpio is the sign that governs the 8th house in the natural zodiac.
The 9th House
Ninth house is known as the house of long-distance travel. Travel over distances greater than 500 miles would be found in this house. Expeditions, foreigners, foreign countries, religion, divinity, philosophy, views, forecast, languages, higher education, literature, books, publishing, media, law, lawyers, fact, justice, prediction, expansion and development of one’s horizons in all ways are covered by the 9th house. Sagittarius is the sign that governs the 9th house in the natural zodiac.
The 10th House
The tenth house is the house of career and status, ambitions, attainments, success, occupation, recognition, reputation, prestige, identity within the community, public image and the father within a family are found in the 10th house. Since the tenth house focuses on ambition and career, it makes sense that it would be the house that appropriately represents the father. Capricorn is the sign that governs the 10th house in the natural zodiac.
The 11th House
It is known as the house of hopes and wishes, friends, group activities, your role in your community, social life, connections, friends, societies, undertaking, leagues, clubs, other cultures and how we relate to them, humanitarian causes and charity are 11th house issues. Aquarius governs the 11th house in the natural zodiac.
The 12th House
Things that are hidden are found in this house. Privacy, secrets, occult activities, mental matters, relaxation, drugs, alcohol, sorrow, confinement,limitation, organisations, hospitals and emotional problems are covered by the 12th house. This is the last house of the horoscope and the end of a complete sequence.