The Houses of the Zodiac in Astrology

The houses are sections of your Natal Chart that represent specific areas of your life. They are used to determine your Rising Sign, Ascendant, and are personalized from that point. In a personal Natal Chart, the houses can be in any constellation. That means that YOUR fourth house may not be in its natural ruler, Cancer. It can be in Aquarius, for example.

The houses help to determine a more unique and personal part of your personality, emotions, and actions. Each house has a natural ruling constellation or zodiac sign, and a natural ruling planet. The first house starts with the constellation on the eastern horizon at the exact time of birth. Each house is then calculated and numbered counterclockwise. Just as zodiac signs are based on days, the houses are based on times and places. This allows the ability to understand more individual characteristics in addition to the generalized character traits of a zodiac sun sign.

The first house represents:

• Self
• Ego
• Body
• Appearance
• Identity
• Mannerisms
• Early Childhood

The natural ruler for this house is Aries, and its natural ruling planet is Mars.

This house is known as the ascendant or rising sign. The zodiac sign this house falls in helps to determine the way the world sees you. It is what you present, not necessarily what you feel. This is the house that determines your outer appearance and your choice of public behavior. Many people are mistakenly taken for their ascendant instead of their true sun sign. In ancient astrology, the ascendant was considered your zodiac sign.

The third house represents:

• Primary education
• Communication and speech
• Daily decisions
• Self expression
• Perceptions

The natural ruler for this house is Gemini, and the natural ruling planet is Mercury.

Siblings are featured in this house, as well. The relationship you have with your siblings can obviously grow and change throughout your lifetime. However, the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects, can assist in understanding those relationships.

The second house represents:

• Possessions
• Earned Income
• Financial Security
• Talents
• Values

The natural ruler for this house is Taurus, and the natural ruling planet is Venus.

Talents in the arts are usually magnified in this house. Your God given abilities to paint, sculpt, act, sing, dance, write, play an instrument, and create is based on the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects involving this house.

The fifth house represents:

• Enthusiasm
• Motivation
• Creativity
• Self expression
• Romance and love affairs
• Fun and humor

The natural ruler for this house is Leo, and the natural ruling planet is the Sun.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the relationship with your children.

The fourth house represents:

• Family Traditions
• Domestic Issues
• Ancestry and roots
• Parenting and nurturing
• Unconditional love

The natural ruler for this house is Cancer, and the natural ruling planet is the Moon.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the relationship with your mother. Placements in this house also explain reasons for one’s priorities regarding the home.

The sixth house represents:

• Employment and work ethic
• Servitude and caretaking
• Health and diet
• Hygiene
• Daily responsibilities

The natural ruler for this house is Virgo, and the natural ruling planet is Mercury.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the attitude regarding pets.

The eighth house represents:

• Change
• Renewal
• Sex
• Shared resources
• War or conflict

The natural ruler for this house is Scorpio, and the natural ruling planets are Mars and Pluto.

Life, death and regeneration are represented in this house. Life runs in cycles so death and rebirth are not necessarily associated with physical death and birth. Perhaps the way one handles a change of employment or residence is affected based on what occupies this house.

The seventh house represents:

• Marriage and partnership
• Contracts
• Business partners
• Legal issues and court cases
• Agreements

The natural ruler for this house is Libra, and the natural ruling planet is Venus.

Duality is emphasized in the seventh house. Whether it is a duo or a dual, there are two participating parties featured here when studying the placements in one’s natal chart. People of significant support and the special relationships they create are affected by the placements in this house.

The tenth house represents:

• Ambition
• Career
• Reputation
• Status
• Authority

The natural ruler for this house is Capricorn, and the natural ruling planet is Saturn.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the relationship with your father.

The ninth house represents:

• Long trips
• Adventure
• Risk taking
• Higher education
• Teaching
• Religion and Philosophy

The natural ruler for this house is Sagittarius, and the natural ruling planet is Jupiter.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the relationship with your grandchildren and in-laws.

The twelfth house represents:

• Subconscious
• Secrets
• Karma
• Dreams

The natural ruler for this house is Pisces, and the natural ruling planets are Jupiter and Neptune.

Hospitals, prisons and institutions are also featured in this house.

The eleventh house represents:

• Humanitarian issues
• Hopes and wishes
• Clubs and organizations
• Benefits of hard work

The natural ruler for this house is Aquarius, and the natural ruling planets are Saturn and Uranus.

Many times the planets located in this house at the time of your birth, and other aspects assist in understanding the relationship with your friends.

Thank you for your interest in my writing. I certainly hope the read was helpful and entertaining. Please feel free to comment.

"Be kind to one another" ~ Ellen

God Bless You ~ Margaret Sullivan