What Are the Houses in Astrology?
The Houses in astrology primarily relate to your birth chart. Your birth chart is broken up into 12 distinct slices – sort of like a pie. Each slice represents one of the 12 Houses. These 12 astrological Houses are based on Earth’s 24-hour rotation around its axis and they shift frequently, which is why it’s so important to calculate your birth chart using your exact time of birth. As you delve deeper into astrology, it’s important to understand that the 12 Houses are not the same thing as the zodiac wheel. The planets move through the zodiac wheel on a yearly basis and the system is based on the sun’s yearly rotational movement, which differs from the 12 Houses that shift according to Earth’s 24-hour rotation. However, be aware that when reading a birth chart, professional astrologers will often blend the two systems together.
What Do the Houses Mean in Astrology?
Your birth chart functions as a map of the sky at the time of your birth and the location of various celestial bodies can tell you a lot about yourself. Each celestial body – the sun, the moon, and the planets – will be located in a specific astrological House. Each of the 12 Houses in astrology represents different aspects of your life. If you want to interpret your birth chart accurately, it’s very important to understand what each of the Houses in astrology mean.
Astrological House Meanings
Below you’ll find a brief explanation detailing which areas of life each of the 12 Houses is associated with. The first six Houses (numbers 1 – 6) relate to your personal self, while the second six Houses (numbers 6 – 12) relate to interpersonal aspects of your life. Keep in mind that each of the astrological Houses relates to multiple parts of life – not just a single aspect. Also, you probably won’t have a planet in every House, and that’s totally normal! When looking at your birth chart, you’ll want to focus on the Houses that contain one or more planets. Ready to start learning more about astrological House meanings? Let’s jump in!
1st House
The 1st House relates to all the firsts in life – first impressions, fresh starts, and new beginnings. The 1st House also relates to your core sense of self as well as leadership and new projects. Planets that are located in the 1st House on your birth chart tend to have a strong influence on who you are and the events of your life. The 1st House is ruled by Aries, and the sign rising on the edge of your 1st House is your ascendant sign.
2nd House
The 2nd House relates to your physical environment – think of the five senses of taste, smell, sound, sight, and touch. The 2nd House also covers money and material possessions. Finally, the 2nd House relates to the concept of value and your personal self-esteem. Ruled by Taurus, the 2nd House is also commonly related to material security.
3rd House
The 3rd House relates to all forms of communication, including talking, writing, and thinking. The 3rd House also covers communication devices like cellphones along with local travel, schools, teachers, neighborhood communities, and siblings. The 3rd House is closely linked with expression and close relationships. It is ruled by Gemini.
4th House
Located at the very bottom of the chart, the 4th House relates to “foundations” in your life – your home, your privacy, and your basic security. The 4th House also relates to your relationship with your mother, your nurturing abilities, and how you view domesticity. The 4th House is ruled by Cancer.
5th House
The playful 5th House is related to creativity, self-expression, romance, and fun. Children, drama, color, attention, and play are also related to the 5th House. Ruled by Leo, the Fifth House is linked to those eureka! moments in life that boost our confidence and make us feel great.
6th House
The 6th House is related to matters of health such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle. The 6th House also relates to schedules, routines, organization, odd jobs, and daily structure. Planets in the 6th House can help us create new habits and schedules. The 6th House is ruled by Virgo.
7th House
The 7th House relates to your relationships with other people, both in business and in your personal life. It includes marriage, business deals, and contracts. People with natal planets located in the 7th House tend to be very focused on relationships. The 7th House is ruled by Libra.
8th House
The 8th House is related to all things mysterious, representing birth, death, sex, and transformation. Because it is linked to life’s complexities and bonding at the deepest level, those with natal planets in their 8th House are often attracted to intense romances and/or the supernatural. The 8th House is also related to other people’s property and money, and is ruled by Scorpio.
9th House
The 9th House is linked to all things related to the higher mind and exploration: philosophy, expansion, international travel, foreign languages, inspiration, optimism, universities, adventure, religion, morals, and ethics. The 9th House is also linked to luck, risk, and gambling. Those born with planets in their 9th House are often curious people with a deep-rooted sense of wanderlust. The 9th House is ruled by Sagittarius energy.
10th House
The 10th House is located at the very top of your birth chart and relates to success, public image, career achievements, professional aspirations, and awards. The 10th House is also linked to boundaries, rules, discipline, authority, and fathers. The border of the 10th House is called the Midheaven and can hold clues to your career path. Those born with planets in the 10th House are often ambitious and career-minded individuals. The 10th House is ruled by Capricorn.
11th House
The 11th House is linked to teams, friendships, society, networking, social justice, rebellion, and humanitarian pursuits. The 11th House also relates to technology, innovation, and all things futuristic, so it’s no surprise that those born with planets in their 11th House are often known for their revolutionary ideas. Ruled by Aquarius, the 11th House is also linked to originality, eccentricity, and surprises.
12th House
The 12th House is located just beneath the horizon, making it the proverbial darkness just before the dawn. Because of this, the 12th House relates to unseen and mysterious areas of life such as intuition, dreams, secrets, emotions, and the subconscious mind. It is also related to imagination, creativity, and various forms of art such as film, dance, and poetry. As the final house of the chart, the 12th House is also related to endings, including old age, surrender, and the afterlife. It is also related to smaller-scale endings, such as the final stages of a project, and has ties to places that separate us from society such as institutions, jails, and hospitals. Those born with planets in their 12th House are often very intuitive and may even show some psychic abilities! The 12th House is ruled by Pisces.
What Do the Houses Mean in Your Birth Chart?
Figuring out what the astrological Houses mean in your birth chart can take some practice. You might want to consider getting a birth chart reading from a professional astrologer to start you off. If you want to interpret your birth chart yourself, be sure to check out our guide!
When interpreting your birth chart, you’ll want to consider what part of life the Houses represent, which planets are located in each House, and from there draw your conclusions about what your stars are trying to tell you. For example, if you have Venus, the planet of Love, in your 8th House – which is associated with bonding, sex, and the mysterious – you might conclude that you are someone who would be more fulfilled by an intense relationship with someone you have a deep connection to as opposed to a casual fling. As you work through each of the Houses in your birth chart, let your intuition guide you. Have questions? Don’t be afraid to reach out to us on social media or ask a professional astrologer for help!