The only thing I used to know about astrology was that I was an Aquarius. That was it – hard stop. I’d never really identified with most of the characteristics assigned to Aquarius sun signs, so I didn’t think too much of it. But as I started exploring the world of astrology, I learned more about my sun, moon, and rising signs and that I had an entire star chart – all of which were way more aligned with who I was as a person. Once I understood that my sun sign wasn’t everything and that it was, in fact, only a very small part of the picture, astrology became far more interesting to me.
One key component of astrology that I had to understand in order to dive deeper was the 12 houses. The 12 houses aren’t an entirely new concept – they’re linked to the signs you’re already familiar with. If you’ve ever seen your birth chart depicted as a wheel or circle (it often looks like a pie chart at first glance), the 12 houses are the 12 different segments of that wheel. Each house represents a different aspect of your life, such as wealth, communication, or relationships, and each house is traditionally ruled by an astrological sign.
However, your personal star chart is more important than which house rules which sign, as each person’s star chart and sign placement is different. The placement of the planets within the 12 houses, and thus the placement of each astrology sign at the time of your birth, can reveal insights about your personality and how you relate to the world around you. Essentially, on each unique birth chart, each house is ruled by a different sign, and where those signs land has implications for who you are. The first six houses are known as your personal houses, which relate to the self, while the last six are considered interpersonal houses, which are about how you relate to the world around you. Let’s dive in.
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What Is the First House in Astrology?
Sometimes called the House of Self, the first house starts at the very beginning: who you are, your self-image, and how you present yourself to others. It’s one of the most foundational houses to who you are, and the sign that falls within this house is also your ascendant sign. Some astrologers say your first house can even determine your physical appearance.
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What Is the Second House in Astrology?
The second house is all about physical, tangible things. It’s often referred to as the house that governs money, finances, and material goods, but it’s also the house that gives you your concept of value, both for material things and immaterial ideas like self-worth. This house is linked to stability, value, and wealth.
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What Is the Third House in Astrology?
The third house is all about communication, from talking and texting to thinking and even the ways we relate with our local community, which can include travel and transportation. If you’ve ever heard about things going awry during Mercury in retrograde, that’s because Mercury rules this house.
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What Is the Fourth House in Astrology?
Visually, the fourth house is situated at the bottom of the wheel, so it makes sense that it’s linked to foundations, roots, and home. It can tell you both about the kind of physical environment and immaterial qualities that signify home for you. It’s often linked to motherhood, feeling secure, how we’re cared for, and how we care for others.
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What Is the Fifth House in Astrology?
This house is a big one, as it determines your sun sign, and it’s all about self-expression, creative energy, romance, and pleasure. It’s also linked to children – a combination that makes more sense when you think about the creative energy and joy you see in kids.
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What Is the Sixth House in Astrology?
The sixth house rules over health, wellness, organization, and daily routine, so it makes sense that it’s ruled by practical Virgo. This house is all about structure.
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What Is the Seventh House in Astrology?
As we move from the personal houses to the interpersonal houses, the seventh house is a strong start, as it’s all about relationships. It covers everything from our romantic partners to business deals, so it’s wise to be wary of contracts when planets are moving through this house.
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What Is the Eighth House in Astrology?
The eighth house has a reputation for being mysterious in terms of what it represents astrologically, but what we do know is that it’s connected to natural cycles of life, death, transformation, and rebirth. As it’s ruled by Scorpio and Pluto (which is still considered a planet in astrology), it has a reputation for being a little dark.
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What Is the Ninth House in Astrology?
While the eighth house relates to transformation, the ninth is known for growth. A highly philosophical house, it represents how we take risks and challenge ourselves, so it makes sense that it’s linked to travel and higher education.
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What Is the 10th House in Astrology?
Also known as your Midheaven, the 10th house is symbolically located at the top of the zodiac wheel. As the most visible and public area of the zodiac, it relates to your public image, social standing, and career, so it’s a great house to dive into with an astrologer if you’re seeking guidance about your career path.
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What Is the 11th House in Astrology?
As we move outward on the chart, this house focuses on wider relationships, such as those to your community and organized groups. This house rules friendship as well as innovation – which sounds like a strange combination until you realize it’s ruled by quirky Aquarius. The idea of this house is that it represents our collective work as a community and aspirations for a better future.
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What Is the 12th House in Astrology?
The last house on the zodiac wheel, this house is responsible for some seriously heavy stuff. It’s linked to nebulous rather than physical concepts, like the subconscious and the imagination, plus paranormal energy. But no need to think of it as spooky – remember that it’s ruled by the sensitive and intuitive Pisces, which makes it a great house for introspection.
