The 12 houses in astrology and what they represent

Astrology Expert Kate Porter July 13, 2023 • 13 minutes read

Houses play an important role in astrology. And no, they don’t refer to the physical dwellings we live in. Rather, this set of 12 symbolizes the areas of life present in our birth charts.

Do you ever feel like you don’t have control over certain areas in your life? That’s where the houses come into play. In astrology, the 12 houses represent different aspects of your life, like relationships, careers, and health. Each house stands for a specific area of experience.

Need help to determine what each house means? Let’s explore what each house can tell you about your life:

What are the 12 houses?

The 12 houses in astrology represent various areas of life and experience, such as money, career, relationships, home life, creativity, etc. You find these houses in your birth chart, and they’re usually spelled using Roman numerals. ¹

The first six houses are called the personal houses, representing areas in your life that relate to your inner self. This includes money, home life, family, health, relationships, and personal growth. ²

On the other hand, the second six houses are interpersonal, representing areas of your life that relate to the outside world. This includes your career, reputation, people’s thoughts, and how you interact with others.

It is believed that planets move through the houses, and depending on which house the planet is located in, it can have a positive or negative effect. Your birth chart allows you to learn more about yourself and your relationships while helping you make better decisions.

How do I find my 12 houses?

Finding what your 12 houses are requires you to generate your birth chart. You only need your birth date, time, and location. Once you have that information, enter it into an online astrology calculator.

Essentially, your Ascendant or Rising sign is the starting point of your birth chart, so it serves as your first house. From there, you can identify the other 11 houses.

An example of this is as follows:

• If someone’s Ascendant or Rising is Scorpio, house one will be Scorpio.
• House two will be Sagittarius, and so forth, until you reach the twelfth house, which would be Libra.

Exploring the 12 houses

Want to get a better understanding of what your houses represent? Let’s take a look at each house and the associated meanings:

1st house

Also known as the Ascendant or Rising sign, this house is associated with the self and how you present yourself to the world. Think of first impressions, your physical appearance, and your attitudes. Aries is usually associated with the first house.

This house represents your vitality and self-expression. It’s like the window through which you present yourself and how others perceive you. If you have planets in this house, it can signify your awareness about your appearance and how it affects your world. ³

2nd house

The second house is associated with money, material possessions, and security. It focuses on what you own, both physical and metaphorical. If you have planets in this house, it can signify your values and attitude towards money.

This house can also represent emotional security and how you manage resources. Although this house is about money, it’s more than just that — it’s about what gives you security and comfort. Taurus is usually associated with this house. ³

3rd house

All about communication and self-expression, the third house represents how you communicate with others. It focuses on your abilities and skills in expression, like writing, speaking, and understanding. Gemini is usually associated with this house.

If you have planets in this house, it can signify how you express yourself and relate to your environment. This house also represents encounters and conversations, as well as short-distance travel. ³

4th house

The fourth house represents your home and family life. It’s associated with the emotions you have towards your home and the safety and comfort it provides.

This house can signify how you interact with family members and close friends. It also represents security, stability, and your bonds with loved ones. Cancer, the sign associated with this house, works in tandem with your home environment.

5th house

Focusing on creativity, self-expression, and pleasure, the fifth house is associated with fun and entertainment. It’s all about how you express yourself, and if you have planets in this house, it can signify your passions and hobbies.

Leo, the sign associated with this house, often reflects your enthusiasm and zest for life. This house can also represent your relationships and how you interact with others.

6th house

The sixth house is about your daily routine, habits, and health. It focuses on how you take care of yourself and organize your life.

This house can also signify how you approach service and work with others. If you have planets in this house, it can represent your daily work tasks and routines. Virgo is usually associated with this house.

7th house

The seventh house, the Descendant, focuses on partnership and relationships. It represents how you interact with others, especially regarding marriage or business partnerships. Libra is usually associated with this house.

Having planets in this house can signify how you interact with your partner and resolve conflicts. This house also signifies the energy between you and someone else, whether it’s a romantic relationship or a business partnership.

8th house

Symbolizing transformation and power, the eighth house is a representation of intimacy, secrets, and sexuality. It’s associated with your power and how you use it to change your life.

If you have planets in this house, it can signify how well you connect with other people and handle situations requiring emotional depth. Scorpio is usually associated with this house.

9th house

This house is associated with higher learning, philosophy, and beliefs. It focuses on how you view the world and your values. Sagittarius is usually related to this house.

Having planets in this house can mean that you have a deep interest in learning and exploring the world. This house also represents your spiritual beliefs and how you apply them.

10th house

All about your career and public life, the tenth house is associated with ambition and success. It focuses on how you make your mark in the world and what you want your legacy to be.

Having planets in this house can signify your potential for success and how well you handle responsibility. Capricorn is usually associated with this house.

11th house

The eleventh house is related to your social life and how you interact with friends. How you express yourself in groups and handle your relationships are all part of this house.

Aquarius is usually associated with this house because it’s associated with the collective. Having planets in this house can mean you strongly desire to connect with people and make meaningful connections.

12th house

Relating to the subconscious and secrets, the twelfth house is associated with your innermost fears and feelings. It focuses on how you handle hidden matters and how you deal with your inner turmoil.

If you have planets in this house, it can signify your hidden fears and secrets and how well you manage these aspects of yourself. Pisces is usually associated with this house.

The 12 houses in astrology represent various aspects of life and how you interact with the world around you. Each house has its own energy and significance, which can give an insight into how you approach different areas of life.

Interpreting the houses in your birth chart

Looking at the houses in your birth chart, you’ll notice other symbols and lines. These symbols can provide more detailed information about how each house affects you, as well as the energies associated with it.

Chart ruler

A chart ruler is a planet that rules your chart — usually, this is determined by your first house. For example, if you have Aries as your first house, Mars is your chart’s ruler.

Knowing your chart ruler can provide insight into your personality and how you handle different situations. It can also indicate how your life might go based on the planet associated with it.

Learn how to find your birth chart ruler and uncover the hidden forces guiding your life. Gain clarity and empowerment with this essential astrological knowledge.

House rulers and planets in houses

Each house in your birth chart is associated with a planet, referred to as its ruler. For instance, the 7th house is ruled by Libra, so if Libra is the ruler of your 7th house, it can provide insight into how you approach relationships and partnerships.

However, if your 7th house is in Scorpio, then how you handle situations may be more intense and passionate than in Libra. This can give you an understanding of how to manage relationships best and how you view them.

Your planets also fall in various houses in your birth chart, which can provide more information about how it affects you. For example, if Jupiter is in your 7th house, it could indicate your strong desire for relationships and partnerships.

Knowing the planets in houses can tell you how they influence your life and which areas of your life they may be stronger or weaker in. Find out how to interpret your planets in houses and what they mean for you.

Aspects

Aspects are connections between planets that can indicate how they interact with each other. There are different aspects, some of which may benefit you, and others may be more challenging. ³

For example, a conjunction — or when two planets are close together — between your Sun and your Moon could indicate that you have a strong sense of balance between your conscious and unconscious mind.

The aspects between planets in the houses of your birth chart can provide insight into what influences you and how those influences manifest in your life. Learn the basics of aspects and how to interpret them in your birth chart.

Frequently asked questions about 12 houses

1. What is the significance of the 12 houses in astrology?

The 12 houses in astrology represent different areas of life, such as relationships, career and public life, higher learning, and more. They signify how you interact with the world and give an insight into your personality.

For example, the seventh house is associated with relationships and how you interact with your partner, while the tenth relates to career and public life. Knowing the houses in your birth chart can give you a better understanding of yourself and how to approach different areas of life. ³

2. How do the 12 houses differ from zodiac signs?

The 12 houses in astrology are associated with different areas of life, while the zodiac signs indicate personality traits and characteristics. For example, Aries is associated with being independent and dynamic, while the first house is related to how you come across to other people.

Each house has unique energy and significance, which can provide more insight into how you interact with the world. Knowing your zodiac sign and houses in your birth chart can help you better understand yourself.

3. How do I determine the ruling planet for each house?

The ruling planet for each house is determined by the zodiac signs associated with it. For example, the first house is ruled by Aries, so the ruling planet is Mars. Similarly, the seventh house is ruled by Libra, so its ruling planet would be Venus.

You can find the ruling planet for each house by looking at your birth chart and seeing what zodiac sign falls in each house. Knowing the ruling planets for each house can give you further insight into how they affect your life and personality.

4. What happens if a house is empty in my birth chart?

An empty house doesn’t necessarily mean that it is not in effect; rather, it indicates that you don’t have any planets in that particular house. This means that the energies associated with it are not in effect for you but may still influence your life.

For example, if your fourth house is empty but in Leo, the energy of Leo may still have an impact on your home life, but it will be less direct than if you had a planet in that house.

5. Are all houses equally important or do some have more influence?

All the houses in astrology are equally important, though some may have more influence than others depending on your birth chart. For example, if your first house is in Capricorn, the energies associated with this sign may be more prominent.

Similarly, if you have a planet in your third house, the energies associated with that planet may be more influential than those associated with other houses. Each house has its importance and can provide more insight into your life, so take the time to interpret them in your birth chart.

Astrology Expert

Kate Porter

Kate Porter turned her lifelong fascination with the stars into a career as an astrology expert. She was interested in the power of the stars from a young age and studied their …

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