Introduction to the houses
The houses of the horoscope represent the environment where the planets express themselves. It is the physical surroundings of the native as well as personal life experiences. Each of the twelve houses of a chart rule certain areas of life, types of people and relationships, ideas, and life circumstances.
First house
House of Self
This is the most important house of the chart. It is sometimes referred to as the Ascendant or Rising Sign. Planets that fall on any angle have a special significance in the chart. This house governs your outer personality, disposition and physical attributes, notably your appearance, and general outlook. It represents your self-image and it is a very significant house in that it deals with what others pick up about you. The sign and condition of the Ascendant also affects your strength, vitality, health issues and the types of illnesses you may experience. Its ruling planet is usually the designated the ruler of the chart and therefore the most important planet in your chart.
The first house corresponds to Aries and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Aries style. Additionally, the first house corresponds to Mars and thus also represents our aggression, motivation, survival modes and self-interest.
Second house
House of Value
The second house describes material assets, how you handle monetary income, and the potential ways it may be earned; money you earn, debts, and possessions, especially those you value highly. It is also your value system in general and your personal feelings of self-worth. It also indicates the values and priorities you establish throughout life.
The second house corresponds to Taurus and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Taurus style. Additionally, the second house, also represents our personal likes or dislikes, deep emotions and attachments.
Third house
House of Communications
The third house describes your mental state, intellectual orientation, self-expression and communication, early education, mechanical dexterity and skills, immediate environment (neighborhood), and siblings. It indicates physical actions, and transportation, especially within your immediate environment. Since the natural ruler Mercury is such a busy fellow, this house also represents reading, networking, writing, letters, telephones, radios, computers and any other form of communication.
The third house corresponds to Gemini and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Gemini style. Additionally, the second house also represents teaching, education, our mentality, the realm of ideas, variety, adaptability and siblings.
Fourth house
House of Home and Family
The fourth house or the Imum Coeli (IC) is a special angle. Planets that fall on any angle have a special significance in the chart. This house describes your residence, domestic environment, your cultural background and family members. Helping to create the home we make are our parents, for it is they who greatly nurture and shape our being. Therefore, the fourth house can also be thought of as the house of the mother, the parent or the nurturer. It indicates the beginning as well as the end of various cycles in your life. Much of the emphasis of the Fourth House, however, is on the concept of home. By laying down roots, we make a home for ourselves, or more specifically, the self.
The fourth house corresponds to Cancer and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Cancer style.
Fifth house
House of Pleasure
The fifth house describes your creative talent and imaginative powers, capacity for enjoyment and the pursuit of pleasure, romance, children. Thus the fifth house rules children in general, as well as children you may someday have yourself. The fifth house rules hobbies, leisure time activities, play and recreation, and all forms of entertainment. Gambling, taking risks and financial speculation fall under the fifth house umbrella, as well.
The fifth house corresponds to Leo and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Leo style. Additionally, the fifth house also represents our creative potential, our own will, getting recognition and the heart’s desires.
Sixth house
House of Health and Daily Activities
The sixth house describes your job (not to be confused with career which is a tenth house matter), daily responsibilities, and those who work for or with you. The sixth house also represents order, self-improvement, health, nutrition, attitude towards food, service, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how we refine and perfect ourselves.
The sixth house corresponds to Virgo and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Virgo style.
Seventh house
House of Partnerships
The cusp of the seventh house is a special angle called the Descendant (DSC). Planets that fall on any angle have a special significance in the chart. Since the first house represents you; the seventh house being directly opposite the first is other people in general.
The seventh house relates to marriage and partnership or joint ventures of any kind. It describes how you interact with people and how others tend to regard you. The sign and ruler of the seventh house also describe your spouse. The seventh house is associated with legal matters, negotiations, contracts, open enemies and all open confrontations, pleasant as well as adversarial. For instance, lawsuits are a seventh house area.
The seventh house corresponds to Libra and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Libra style. Additionally, the seventh house also represents giving and receiving and balance of power issues.
Eighth house
House of Shared Resources
The eighth house is related to taxes, debt, death, legacies, other people’s money (credit; investments; insurances and so on) and the income you receive through your marriage, business partner or an inheritances. It describes your resourcefulness, and your ability to develop and use material assets as well as personal skills and abilities, particularly in joint ventures or partnership projects. Sex and sexual intimacy are also eighth house matters. The eighth house may reveal one’s ability to share deep, intimate bonding with another person. The occult is normally associated with the eighth house. In this case, occult refers to the manipulation of natural or psychic forces in order to produce desired outcomes.
The eighth house corresponds to Scorpio and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Scorpio style. Additionally, the eighth house also represents extreme conditions, drastic changes, as well as, control and power issues.
Ninth house
House of Philosophy
The ninth house represents the development of the mind. Here we find all things related to higher learning, such as universities, professors, and continuing education programs. The ninth house is really like third house matters expanded. It can represent our personal belief system, our sense of adventure, exploration, religious beliefs, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, and publishing.
The ninth house corresponds to Sagittarius and so any planets in this house functions with some underlying Sagittarius style. Additionally, the ninth house represents expansion of anything, wanting freedom, and moral codes and ethics.
Tenth house
House of Social Status
The cusp of the tenth house is a special angle called the Midheaven (MC). Planets that fall on any angle have a special significance in the chart. However, any planets in the tenth house have the distinction of being at the pinnacle of the chart and therefore hold an extra special place in the chart. In the tenth house we find one’s primary career goals. The career found in the tenth house is what we would prefer to be known for vs. the sixth house, where we take certain jobs out of necessity. Hence, the tenth house is also described as one’s fame, reputation, honor and highest achievements. It’s also the boss; either your attitude towards the authority of others, or you as the authority. The tenth house is the public eye vs. the fourth which is your private life. Traditional astrology teaches us that the tenth house is the house that represents the father.
The tenth house corresponds to Capricorn and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Capricorn style. Additionally, the tenth house represents taking responsibility, and the rewards of resolving karmic issues.
Eleventh house
House of Friendships
Traditionally the eleventh house is related to friendships and acquaintances. Our personal hopes and wishes is another eleventh house area. Groups of people in general, especially those groups which have a common bond or goal are found in the eleventh house. This can include, humanitarian causes, clubs and social organizations of any kind. This is the house of ingenious ideas, new inventions and revolution.
The eleventh house corresponds to Aquarius and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Aquarius style. Additionally, the eleventh house represents bizarre circumstances, being or feeling different from the “norm”, rebelliousness, and unexpected events.
Twelfth house
House of Self-Undoing
The twelfth house in sometimes called the house of hidden matters. Anything unseen or out of the glare of the public fall into this house so it is not surprising that hospitals, prisons, asylums and monasteries are considered twelfth house matters. Hidden enemies are in the twelfth house as opposed to the open opposition in the seventh house. Traditionally this is the house of suffering and self undoing but it can also be the house of spiritual inspiration, cosmic consciousness, enlightenment psychic experience, healing and of course, karma.
The twelfth house corresponds to Pisces and so any planets in this house function with some underlying Pisces style. Additionally, the twelfth house represents the influence of past lives, forgiveness, atonement and mysterious disappearances.
