The Houses in Astrology are an important part of understanding a birth chart.
If you're not new to astrology then you know that many aspects deserve consideration when making sense of a natal/birth chart. If you have just begun the journey of self discovery through astrology, then here are some key points on the houses within your birth chart to help you gain a better understanding. The natal chart (which is also called the birthchart) is a circular chart of 360° and is divided into 12 -pie- like sections, these are called the houses. Each house represents different areas of an individual's life. There are many house systems that can be used in astrology. Each system calculates the chart differently, so you will see that different house systems give you a slightly different result in some of the planetary placements or house sizes within the chart. If you're new to astrology I recommend starting with the placidus or whole sign house system; these are the most commonly used house systems in western astrology. The Placidus house system uses the ascendant and midheaven point to mark the start of the 1st and 10th house. When using quadrant house systems like Placidus, some houses may be more that 30° which will consume more than one zodiac sign in the outer wheel of the natal chart. These are called intercepted houses and it happens when someone is born in far reached areas of the southern and northern hemispheres. The whole sign house system is a part of the Equal house systems. This house system is in sync with the zodiac signs making each house exactly 30°. There are so many house systems to choose from that some astrologers will use different house systems for different types of charts, so there is no right or wrong house system to choose.
Starting with houses 1-6 : They are located on the bottom half of the circular natal chart. Any planets that you see in these houses were on the side of the northern hemisphere the moment you are born. If you have most of the planets gathered on this side of the chart you are seen to be more private with personal matters and prefer to be at home. The themes of these houses all deal with personal, private matters. The sun in any of these houses shows you were born later in the day when the sun was not seen. Making you seem shy, quiet and private.
1st House
Just like how the first house can be seen as the entrance to your natal chart, you can relate it to your entrance to this world. Representing the early part of your childhood experiences. The energy of the zodiac sign and the planets that are in the first house are seen and felt when first meeting you, in body and appearance - scars or illnesses to do with the head.
Self image and identity, attitudes and your mannerism. Here you can see how you initiate things and take action to unexpected situations and what your impulses may be.
ARIES | MARS
2nd House
The 2nd house deals with how you view the things that you may (or may not) value, material items, ways you earn a living, finances, hidden talents and your potential to gain or lose these related things.
The second house shows if you know your self worth and the confidence you give yourself. The energy of the zodiac signs and planets that are in the 2nd house on your natal chart are seen and felt within your personal aesthetic, self esteem, and the attitude you have for your belongings and material items. Whether you are careless or sensible when spending and managing your own finances.
TAURUS | VENUS
3rd House
The 3rd house relates to the local community around you, any short distance travelling, siblings and cousins. The energy of the zodiac signs and planets within the 3rd house can be seen and felt with the type of immediate society we have around us. From our siblings to our neighbours. This house also has an impact on how we have learned to communicate with each other. And that being said it can be related to communication in all forms, from our speech to writing, reading, gossiping, phone calls and emails. Also our early years of education and schooling, thinking patterns and intellectual mind.
GEMINI | MERCURY
4th House
The 4th house relates to all home life matters. Any type of home/land you own, the foundations you build yourself and your need for security. When using quadrant house systems like pladicus, the IC point within the natal chart marks the starting point of the 4th house and is seen as the bottom of your natal chart. It represents your personal foundations like the roots you and your ancestors have come from, early life experiences in the first part of your life and the lessons and patterns you’ve learned and picked up due to your childhood. The energies from the sign and planets in the 4th house are seen and felt in the type of maternal relationship you have with your mother.
CANCER | MOON
5th House
The 5th house in your natal chart is all about what excites and pleasures you. Whether you get your joys in life from gambling, partying, celebrations, holidays or even orgasms, it’s all expressed through the energies of the planets and zodiac sign that occupies the 5th house. The 5th house can also reveal our romantic styles and the children we may or may not have and also how we express our creativity and any creative talents. This house is all about how you go big or go home, how you express your pride, your passions, self respect and confidence you give yourself.
LEO | SUN
6th House
The 6th house rules Medicine, hygiene, daily routines, pets (small creatures) and the wellbeing of your mind, body and soul, how we recover when we are unwell, how we are a service to others and how we get served. In the 6th house you can see what types of employment you take on as either a full time job to a side job. Any humanitarian or volunteering work you take on can also be seen in the 6th house. This house relates to our daily responsibilities and routines, the more planets you have in this house the more busy you may find yourself. This house is also related to any health issues and how you recover and heal not only your physical self but your mind and soul too.
VIRGO | MERCURY
Now for the planets 7-12. These are the houses located in the top half of your natal chart. Any planets in these houses were in the southern side of the hemisphere at the moment of your birth. The more planets you have that are on the upper half of your chart the more sociable you are. If the sun is in houses 7-12 you were born during the day giving you a day chart. You find yourself love being the centre of attention and may even be known as a social butterfly. These houses deal with your public life and image.
7th House
The 7th house is another angular house. The 7th house is the house opposite to the first house, and it’s where the descendent is within your chart. This house relates to all your personal partnerships you have. From romantic partners or just work partners. If they are important in your life they will show up in the 7th house. This house can also show you what views and types of marriage(s) you may or may not have. Although not everyone is your friend in the 7th house. This house can also show you any enemies you may come across. If you have a 7th house stellium you may find relationships of all kinds a big important theme in your life.
LIBRA | VENUS
8th House
The 8th house deals with all the deep, sensitive and taboo topics of astrology, highlighting any experiences with death, sexual desires and other people’s finances. If you have a stellium in these houses or any of your inner planets you can tend to be very curious about occult subjects. Death could mean a few things when looking into the 8th house. Rather than it meaning actual physical death it could indicate any near death experience you may have, it could also be a symbolic ending and mean a transformation and rebirth. Also in the 8th house you could find themes in your life to do with other people’s money. It could be in the form of inheritance, money given to you or it can show in debt and money you owe to other people.
SCORPIO | PLUTO
9th House
The 9th house is to do with any long distance travels and adventures you may take. This is also the house of wisdom and philosophy and people with planets or any aspects to this house can have a thirst for knowledge and even gain master degrees within higher education. Some even become the teacher themselves. The 9th house is all about understanding life and the need to discover, learn and become a master. Our views and ideology on humanity can show in this house alongside any religious or spiritual views we have. The other aspects of life in the 9th house can show where we travel and what cultural experiences we might go through.
SAGITTARIUS | JUPITER
10th house
The 10th house shows us what type of public image and career we make for ourselves. Like what is your true calling and dream job? It’s the last of the angular houses and when using a quadrant house system it uses the midheaven to mark the start of the 10th house. In this house you can see what type of power people have over you and what types of power you have over others. There are debates amongst astrologers if the 10th house relates to the father or if it has nothing to do with the father but instead the dominant parent. The parent who makes the rules and choices for the family can be seen in the 10th house. Oppose to the 4th house which would be the more nurturing, caring parent. The 10th house shows us if we are inspirational and influential to others and even shows if you have potential to become popular, famous or in the public eye.
CAPRICORN | SATURN
11th house
The 11th house is the house of friendships and companionships and your social life. The 11th house rules any social gatherings of any form and how we interact with these groups. It can also relate to humanitarian and charity work, looking into this house may help you understand where you see things that need to be changed amongst the community. This house oversees how we network ourselves and fit into the community.
AQUARIUS | URANUS
12th house
The 12th house is the last house of your natal chart. It governs wild animals, dreams and all the things that are unseen and below the surface. The 12th house can show what hidden desires and psychological fears you have, hidden secrets, enemies and activities you could be involved in. Someone with a lot of planets placed in the 12th house can be very good at detecting lies and make good detectives. The 12th house rules over your experience before you came to the world in the womb, dreams, fantasies and how you escape from the world, so it’s best to avoid any addictive substances especially if they are used as an escape from reality.
PISCES | NEPTUNE
