The Meanings of the Houses

If the signs of the zodiac show "how" planets express themselves, the houses of the natal chart reveal "where" these energies play out. Each of the twelve houses of a chart rule certain areas of life, types of people and relationships, ideas, and life circumstances.

Rulerships & Meanings:

The First House: Self-Image

The cusp of the first house is a special angle, the Ascendant (also known as the rising sign).
The first house is an angular house. Its natural sign ruler is Aries and its natural planetary ruler is Mars.
The image we project to others, the first impression we make, how we start things, our defense mechanisms, our relationship with our immediate environment, our general outlook on life, and our physical appearance.

The Second House: Self-Worth and Money

The second house is a succedent house. Its natural sign ruler is Taurus and its natural planetary ruler is Venus.
Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions.

The Third House: Communication

The third house is a cadent house. Its natural sign ruler is Gemini and its natural planetary ruler is Mercury.
The lower mind, communication, interactions in our immediate environment, siblings and early environment, neighbors, thoughts, short trips, writing and speaking, how we formulate our thoughts, language skills, media and communications.

The Fourth House: Family, Home, Roots & Security

The cusp of the fourth house is a special angle called the IC (Immum Coeli) and is also called the nadir.
The fourth house is an angular house. Its natural sign ruler is Cancer and its natural planetary ruler is the Moon.
Our psychological foundations and roots, family, home life, instinctive behavior, the mother or the more "maternal" parent/caregiver, ancestry, our connection with our past, our sense of security, domestic life, real estate.

The Fifth House: Self-Expression, Creativity, Pleasure, & Romance

The fifth house is a succedent house. Its natural sign ruler is Leo and its natural planetary ruler is the Sun.
Creative self-expression, pleasure and entertainment, all forms of "play", speculation and gambling, pastimes, hobbies, attitude towards romance, romantic relationships, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun, drama, adornments and costumes.

The Sixth House: Work & Health

The sixth house is a cadent house. Its natural sign ruler is Virgo and its natural planetary ruler is Mercury.
Work and job (as opposed to career), techniques and methods, daily life, order, self-improvement, health, nutrition, attitude towards food, service, attitude towards service and co-workers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how we refine and perfect ourselves, aptitudes.

The Seventh House: Partnership & Marriage

The cusp of the seventh house is a special angle called the Descendant (DSC).
The seventh house is an angular house. Its natural sign ruler is Libra and its natural planetary ruler is Venus.
Companionship, the alter ego, partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the "significant other", business partnerships, competitors, our "shadow self", lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts.

The Eighth House: Transformation & Sexuality

The eighth house is a succedent house. Its natural sign ruler is Scorpio and its natural planetary ruler is Pluto.
Transformation and crisis, our attitude towards crisis and change, sexuality, sex, death and rebirth, personal growth and transformation, regeneration, our partner's resources, addictions, psychology, others' money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

The Ninth House: Belief Systems & Higher Learning

The ninth house is a cadent house. Its natural sign ruler is Sagittarius and its natural planetary ruler is Jupiter.
Our personal belief system, our sense of adventure, exploration, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce.

The Tenth House: Career/Profession, Responsibility, Reputation, & Standing

The cusp of the tenth house is a special angle called the Midheaven (MC).
The tenth house is an angular house. Its natural sign ruler is Capricorn and its natural planetary ruler is Saturn.
Career and profession, contribution to society, position in society, social standing, reputation, material success and position, how we carve out an identity for ourselves, achievement, authority figures, paternal figures, the father or most "paternal" parent/caregiver, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, attitude towards abiding by the law, desire for achievement.

The Eleventh House: Aspirations & Personal Goals, Groups

The eleventh house is a succedent house. Its natural sign ruler is Aquarius and its natural planetary ruler is Uranus.
Acquaintances and friends, groups, organizations, hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals, our sense of our true inner purpose, our sense of the group, humanity.

The Twelfth House: Soul Growth & Undoing, Privacy & Secrets

The twelfth house is a cadent house. Its natural sign ruler is Pisces and its natural planetary ruler is Neptune.
That which is hidden or below the surface, karma, self-undoing, soul growth, hidden strengths and hidden weaknesses, dreams, private affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, spiritual studies.

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