The 12 Houses in Astrology

Each astrological house is ruled by a planet and associated with a zodiac sign. The houses describe how you express your innate talents or experience struggles.

The house’s meaning relates to its corresponding sign and planet. Begin with Aries and Mars for the First House and follow the zodiac’s progression.

Though each house has an inherent sign and planet association, in a chart, they contain sign placements that may differ. A house may contain planets based on calculation time.

1st House

The First House in an astrological chart is associated with your outward appearance and first impressions. Mars is the lord of the First House. This house relates to the sign of Aries.

In astrology, the lord of the houses are the planets that rule the house’s sign. These are also called ruling planets. The lord of the houses is critical in predictive and natal astrology.

But depending on your date, place, and time of birth, you may have other signs and planets in your Natal First House. If your First House is in Capricorn, you apply the traits of Capricorn to the areas of life associated with the house ruler.

Thus, you exhibit Capricorn traits in the situations described by Mars and Aries. Your appearance, individualism, and ambition are expressed like a Capricorn.

You may appear older than you are and are mature regardless of your age. You have traditional sensibilities, and your ambitions relate to maintaining order and rules.

You have an uncanny sense of timing and can be humble yet productive. Others notice your sensibility and work ethic before anything else. If you also have planets in the First House, that gives additional nuance.

If Mercury is in your First House in the sign of Capricorn, you may be more expressive than the average person with Mercury in Capricorn. You are opinionated and dogmatic. Yet you are also rational and rely on your intellect to succeed.

Make an astrology houses cheat sheet by writing the zodiac signs counterclockwise in a circle. Begin with Aries in the First House in the nine o’clock position. Next at eight o’clock would be Taurus.

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2nd House

The houses are explained by following the zodiac from Aries to Pisces. Thus, the Second House is ruled by Venus and associated with Taurus, regardless of the planets or signs in this house in a chart.

The Second House describes what you value and how you earn income. This house relates to the material comforts you treasure. It typically speaks to issues related to the sign of Taurus, specifically security and wealth.

If an earth sign is in your Second House, you may acquire wealth. You value material comfort and may enjoy luxuries. But if an air sign is in this house, you value knowledge.

You may earn income through teaching, writing, or speaking. You value creativity and insight more than money. You can be idealistic and love people who stimulate your mind.

A water sign in your Second House leads you to value emotional expression. You value your family and loved ones. You may derive an income through real estate or caregiving roles.

Planets in your Second House can help or hinder your income or security. Jupiter and Venus are lucky planets that can aid your manifestation of wealth and abundance.

But if Saturn or Mars are in your Second House, you may deal with restrictions that hinder your earning potential. You can be slow to manifest the security you desire.

3rd House

The Third House corresponds to the third zodiac sign, Gemini. Thus, this house is ruled by Mercury. The Third House describes your potential for gifts related to language and intellect.

Your childhood friends, peers, and primary school experiences are described by this house. This can also be the house that describes how you learn new information.

The Third House also relates to your communication style. An air sign or Mercury in this house can facilitate communication and understanding. You are creative and gifted at writing and self-expression.

When a fire sign is in this house, you think fast and are confident in your ideas. Yet you may not delve deep enough to develop expertise in your favorite subjects. You may also speak passionately and impulsively.

An earth sign in the Third House makes you a concrete thinker. You may not be open and expressive. Instead, you are a person of few words. But when you have an idea, others listen because you are serious.

When you have a water sign in your Third House, your emotions inspire your ideas. Your communication style is empathetic, and you may be sensitive to the opinions of friends and peers.

Mercury, Sun, and Uranus can help advance your intellect when these planets are in your Third House. Venus in this house makes you diplomatic, while the Moon makes you an intuitive and sensitive speaker.

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4th House

The Fourth House in the astrological chart relates to the fourth zodiac sign, Cancer. Ruled by the Moon, this house is associated with home, family, and early life experiences in your childhood home.

This house describes how you nurture others. This house also contains the Imum Coeli, which is the point opposite the Midheaven. This point describes who you are in your private life.

In astrology, angular houses are significant. They represent aspects of your personality and relationships with others. The first two angular houses represent your outer and inner self. The final two relate to your intimate and public relationships.

The Fourth House can indicate what soothes your feelings. An air sign in this house indicates comfort with intellectual connections. Your family upbringing prioritized communication and learning.

A fire sign in this house can relate to a chaotic and passionate family. Your upbringing may have featured excitement and drama. Dangerous situations test your strength at a young age.

When a water sign is in your Fourth House, you are comfortable showing your vulnerability. Your family is loving and deeply connected. You crave security and compassion.

An earth sign in this house relates to a family focused on money. Work and wealth are priorities, and you feel most comfortable being productive. You may be nurturing through practical measures.

5th House

The Fifth House relates to Leo, the fifth zodiac sign. The Sun is the ruler of this house. Look to this part of your astrological chart to learn how you express your creative energy.

The Fifth House relates to fun and games. The signs and planets in this house describe your attitude toward competition, hobbies, and recreation. It shows how you have fun.

The Fifth House shows your potential for carefree affairs. This house also your potential to have children and how you relate to children. Some call it the house of your Inner Child.

Aries in the Fifth House makes you competitive. You take your hobbies personally. You can be obsessed with proving yourself through sports and other hobbies.

Capricorn in the Fifth House indicates work and activities others find tedious are a source of joy for you. You may have hobbies related to studying history.

The astrology houses are explained by following the planetary rulers and associations with each zodiac sign. The easiest way to relate to the meaning of the houses is to learn about their innate sign correspondence.

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6th House

The Sixth House corresponds to Virgo and the planet Mercury. Your Sixth House sign and planet placements show how you manage daily tasks and routines.

Your work and responsibilities appear in this house. This is also the placement associated with your health and hygiene. Your potential for illness can be triggered by transits over this house.

The Sixth House is also the domain of pets and daily routines. Pay attention to this house to understand what your mundane priorities are. You can also learn about dietary preferences through this house.

In astrology, empty houses do not exist. It may not have a planet, but all houses contain a sign. A house without a planet remains significant in chart interpretation.

7th House

Aligned with the seventh zodiac sign, Libra, the Seventh House is the location of partnerships, marriage, and romance. This is also the location of the Descendant.

The Descendant is opposite your Rising Sign. It is the point that describes what you gain from others. You can learn from attracting people who complement your strengths.

The Seventh House shows your attitude toward collaborations. Examine this house to understand your potential in romance and love. This is a critical area of the chart for learning about relationships.

In astrology, houses, and planets give added nuance to your personality. Understanding your lifepath by studying the houses helps you understand how you act in specific situations.

Learning the astrology houses by sign can minimize confusion. The Seventh House relates to Libra’s characteristics, even if Libra is not in this house.

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8th House

The Eighth House is associated with Scorpio and ruled by Pluto and Mars. This house is opposite the Second House in the Natal Chart. Thus, it represents the wealth you attain from others.

This house describes income or loss from inheritances, shared business collaborations, and taxes. The Eighth House is also the place to examine power and authority issues.

The Eighth House relates to sexuality. It describes your relationship to your ancestors. The potential for mediumship skills and intuition are also found in this location.

9th House

The Ninth House is ruled by Jupiter and relates to the sign of Sagittarius. It is the house opposite the Third House on the zodiac wheel and builds on the Third House’s territory.

The Ninth House represents higher learning, academia, philosophy, and beliefs. Look to this house to understand attitudes toward religion, morality, and spirituality.

This is also the house related to long-distance travel, influence, and publishing. An air or fire sign in this house can bring out confidence in your ability to see the world and share ideas with a wide audience.

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10th House

The Tenth House is an angular house, where the Midheaven or Nadir is located. The Tenth House is opposite the Fourth House and relates to Capricorn and the planet Saturn.

This house relates to your career and status. It conveys the highest point of visibility and relates to your reputation. Planets like the Sun and Jupiter in this house can lead to a successful public career.

Aquarius in this house can lead to unconventional careers and dramatic changes from one profession to another. You may be known for being brilliant and creative but also unconventional.

Astrology houses in the birth chart are central to showing your life’s milestones. You can learn how a person approaches different situations by studying the planets and signs in the houses.

11th House

The Eleventh House is associated with Aquarius and ruled by Uranus. This house describes how you relate to friends and social networks. It shows your unorthodox nature and humanitarian ideas.

Look to the Eleventh House to learn about your potential to thrive thanks to social organizations and clubs. Libra in this house suggests you are attracted to groups that promote justice and the arts.

You may find a lover through your membership in a humanitarian group if Venus or Taurus are in this house. This can be an instrumental placement for your friendships and social networks.

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12th House

Of all the houses in astrology, the Twelfth House can seem intimidating. Ruled by Neptune and associated with Pisces, this house describes how you transcend ego and align with your spiritual potential.

Yet it is also described as the house of “self-undoing.” The loss of ego required for growth can involve crises. This house is associated with prisons, hospitals, and other institutions related to loss of control.

Yet it is also a house associated with healing, empathy, creativity, and the higher mind. The Twelfth House shows how you confront illusions. You must work through these issues to integrate your spiritual and mundane needs.