Astrological Houses

The houses divide the sky into twelve sections, each governing a different life domain. Planets in a house focus their energy on that area. The sign on a house cusp colors how you approach that domain.

The Twelve Houses

1st House (Ascendant/Rising): Self, appearance, first impressions, physical body, personal identity. How you enter a room and meet the world. The mask you wear. Planets here strongly shape your outward personality.

2nd House: Resources, money, possessions, self-worth, values. What you own and what you value. Your relationship with material security and personal talents.

3rd House: Communication, siblings, short trips, early education, immediate environment. How you process and share information. Daily interactions and mental habits.

4th House (IC): Home, family, roots, emotional foundation, private self. Your psychological base, ancestry, and need for security. Where you retreat to recharge.

5th House: Creativity, romance, children, pleasure, self-expression. What brings you joy and how you play. Risk-taking and heart-led pursuits.

6th House: Health, work, daily routines, service, self-improvement. The unglamorous maintenance of life. Habits, employment, and care for body and others.

7th House (Descendant): Partnerships, marriage, open enemies, contracts. One-on-one relationships and what you seek in others. The qualities you project onto partners.

8th House: Transformation, shared resources, intimacy, death/rebirth, occult. Deep merging with others—financial, sexual, psychological. Crisis and regeneration.

9th House: Higher education, philosophy, travel, belief systems, publishing. Expansion of mind through exploration. Your search for meaning and truth.

10th House (Midheaven/MC): Career, public image, reputation, authority, legacy. How the world sees your achievements. Your calling and contribution to society.

11th House: Friends, groups, hopes, humanitarian causes, innovation. Your tribe and collective ideals. How you participate in community and envision the future.

12th House: Unconscious, hidden enemies, isolation, spirituality, endings. What's buried, repressed, or transcendent. Solitude, dreams, and connection to the divine.

House Interpretation

When reading a chart, note which houses contain planets—these are activated life areas. Empty houses aren't inactive; the sign on the cusp and its ruler indicate how you approach that domain.

The angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) are most prominent—planets here strongly influence life direction. Succedent houses (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) relate to resources and stability. Cadent houses (3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th) involve learning and adaptation.

The Rising Sign (1st house cusp) sets the entire house system. Someone with Leo rising will have Virgo on the 2nd house, Libra on the 3rd, and so on. This progression creates unique combinations that personalize the birth chart beyond just sun and moon signs.