THE 12 HOUSES IN ASTROLOGY
In astrology, the concept of the 12 Houses is fundamental, dividing the energy field of the Earth into twelve distinct sectors. This division mirrors the twelve signs of the Zodiac, with each house representing a unique aspect of life and an unfolding pattern of growth and development. The symbolism of the houses echoes that of the Zodiac signs, but they are generally more connected to tangible, earthly matters.
Each group of houses is linked to one of the four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. The first, fifth, and ninth houses are Fire houses, focusing on identity; the second, sixth, and tenth are Earth houses, dealing with material concerns; the third, seventh, and eleventh are Air houses, related to communication and relationships; and the fourth, eighth, and twelfth are Water houses, delving into the depths of the soul or psyche.
The positioning of planets within these houses adds another layer to an astrological reading. Planets represent specific energies, influenced by their sign, playing out in the area of life denoted by their house placement.
There are various methods for dividing the space around Earth into these twelve houses, all involving the same Rising sign determined by the time of birth. The house cusp opposite will always feature the opposite Zodiac sign. While the "Equal House" method assigns each house an equal 30-degree section of the Zodiac, other methods like Koch, Placidus, and Campanus use different calculations for intermediate house cusps based on their distinct philosophies and mathematical approaches.
These methods generally yield the same Midheaven, except for the Equal House method. The choice of house system can be personal, and astrologers may experiment to find which method resonates most accurately in their interpretations. It's possible to set any one of these methods as the default in astrological practices.
| Name | Position | Natural Sign / Ruler | Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascendant | First House Cusp | Appearance | |
| 1st House | Angular | Aries/Mars | Identity |
| 2nd House | Succedent | Taurus/Venus | Possessions |
| 3rd House | Cadent | Gemini/Mercury | Mind |
| Nadir | Fourth House Cusp | Foundation | |
| 4th House | Angular | Cancer/The Moon | Family |
| 5th House | Succedent | Leo/The Sun | Creativity |
| 6th House | Cadent | Virgo/Mercury | Health |
| Descendant | Seventh House Cusp | Partnership | |
| 7th House | Angular | Libra/Venus | Relationships |
| 8th House | Succedent | Scorpio/Pluto | Intimacy |
| 9th House | Cadent | Sagittarius/Jupiter | Learned Beliefs |
| Midheaven | Tenth House Cusp | Role in Society | |
| 10th House | Angular | Capricorn/Saturn | Career |
| 11th House | Succedent | Aquarius/Uranus | Organizations |
| 12th House | Cadent | Pisces/Neptune | Inner Life |
ASCENDANT
Indicates the Cusp of the First House. The Ascendant, or Rising Sign, is the mask shown to others, the way we present ourselves. This sign, along with the sign of the Sun and the sign of the Moon, is an important component of your personality. The sign on the Ascendant often describes one's physical appearance. Those with Leo Rising, for example, are likely to possess a mane of flowing hair. Planets, in conjunction with the Ascendant, also affect personality and appearance, in accordance with the qualities of the particular planet. The Ascendant represents your persona, or how you appear to others, how others sense you, in your true interaction with the world. In esoteric tradition, the Ascendant represents your true or soul-level personality.
FIRST HOUSE
The First House symbolizes 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 b'earth chart. Planets in the First House affect your personality strongly. Their characteristics are a keynote of your personality as you express yourself to others.
SECOND HOUSE
The Second House symbolizes what the self has to work with materially: possessions, money, and physical resources. This house also represents your desires and values. Planets in the Second House operate in the field of material needs and also indicate what you value most highly.
THIRD HOUSE
The Third House symbolizes thinking and communication, as well as traditional brothers and sisters, writings, and short journeys. Your early environment is also represented by this house, as well as your powers of analysis and discrimination. Planets in this house indicate how you communicate and operate mentally.
NADIR OR IC
Indicates the cusp of the Fourth House. As the base of operations of the personality, this house is quite important because without a place to stand emotionally, the personality cannot function.
FOURTH HOUSE
The Fourth House represents the home environment, family life, and the father, or perhaps the same-sex parent. Planets in the Fourth House reflect your family orientation, an ability to dig into the past in order to discover the roots of your being, and how your father (or perhaps your mother) was experienced by you.
FIFTH HOUSE
The Fifth House represents creativity and self-expression as offspring and is also associated with romance and affection. Following the base of operations represented by the fourth, the fifth house represents the arena in which your personal energies can be released into the world. Any area that is stamped by your personality, including the display of affection or any creative endeavors such as your artistic expression, is therefore represented by planets in the Fifth House or the sign on the Fifth House cusp.
SIXTH HOUSE
The Sixth House represents issues of sickness and health and service to others, including conditions of daily life or work. This house also relates to discipleship and mastery and the overcoming of obstacles in producing the fruit of one's achievements. Planets in this house can manifest as challenges to your well-being or as indications of a profession of service to others.
DESCENDANT HOUSE
Indicates the cusp of the Seventh House. The sign on the Descendant often indicates the type of marriage partner you will seek.
SEVENTH HOUSE
The Seventh House represents marriage and partnerships of all kinds and issues relating to other people. As the opposite of the First House of personality, the Seventh House describes how you fit into the world of others. Planets in this house often indicate the type of marriage partner you will seek.
EIGHTH HOUSE
The Eighth House symbolizes issues of death and rebirth, sexuality, and transformation. As this house follows the house of relationship, it refers to the fruits of relationship, and these include the power to change based on new understanding made possible when one is no longer acting solely as an individual. Planets in this house are difficult to interpret but may refer to how sexuality is manifested or to lessons you need to learn in order to grow and change.
NINTH HOUSE
The Ninth House represents intuition and the study of religion, philosophy, and higher learning. In addition, it represents travel to other countries and legal matters. This house is interpreted similarly to the ninth sign of Sagittarius and represents the expansion of horizons, mental, physical, and spiritual. Planets in this house may symbolize your philosophical pursuits or possibilities for travel.
MIDHEAVEN OR MC
The Midheaven or MC (Medium Coeli) usually, but not always, indicates the Tenth House cusp. Symbolically, the Midheaven represents your individuality, the outward expression of your energies. It can also be referred to as ego identity and has a strong connection with public life and career, as symbolized by the Tenth House. The Midheaven also represents your aspirations and ideals. Together with the Ascendant, it represents personality in interaction with the world. Natal planets, in conjunction with the Midheaven, are considered "elevated" and are emphasized in the chart.
TENTH HOUSE
The Tenth House symbolizes public life, authority, and career issues and also represents the mother or perhaps the opposite-sex parent. As standing opposite the Fourth House, the Tenth House represents how the foundation of the personality is made manifest and concrete in the world. The birth chart is often divided into four seven-year periods, one per quadrant, cycling each twenty-eight years of life, and the Tenth House is reached at age 21, the age of legal adulthood. Planets in the Tenth House will indicate what the energies and challenges are for your career and also how your mother (or perhaps father) was experienced.
ELEVENTH HOUSE
The Eleventh House symbolizes goals and objectives, as well as friendships and membership in groups or associations. The work in society represented by the tenth house is released through the individual in the activities associated with the eleventh house. Planets in this house indicate how visions for the future and also group associations and friendships will operate in your life.
TWELFTH HOUSE
The Twelfth House refers to the unconscious and to things beyond the physical plane. It is traditionally associated with confinement and self-undoing and has been called the house of karma. Planets in this house indicate functions that are hidden from your conscious personality and are expressed in terms of psychic faculty or self-sacrifice.