Astrological Houses 101 – Jacqueline Fiol @moonsoulcollective
There are 12 houses in astrology. Each represents an essential part of life. The houses range
from health to money to relationships and everything in between. The houses are arranged in a
wheel. This wheel is an outline of the sky and planets moving from one house to the next. Each
planet was in a specific house when you were born, and those houses are in your birth chart.
Your Rising Sign, the zodiac sign on the horizon when you were born, is also called your
Ascendant. This sign marks your first house, and astrologers work counterclockwise from there
to determine the remaining houses on your wheel. When looking at your birth chart, you may
see multiple planets in specific houses while others are empty. This aspect is normal; it all plays
a vital role in who you are and what makes your life path unique.
The first six houses are known as the “personal houses” because they govern daily life,
community, and family themes. In contrast, the last six houses are considered “interpersonal
houses” since they rule experiences such as relationships, travel, career, and friendships.
1st House
The first house starts the zodiac and encompasses all things firsts, which means all first
impressions, leadership, fresh starts, and beginnings. The first house is about how others view
you (your Rising sign or Ascendant). It determines the origin of the self and identity, your
outward appearance, and your new endeavors. (Ruled by Aries).
2nd House
The second house relates to your sense of stability, how you make money in the world, and
your immediate environment. The second house is associated with values such as one’s self-
esteem, self-worth, income, and how one begins to feel at home. (Ruled by Taurus)
3rd House
The third house rules in all forms of communication and expression. For example, through
verbal speaking, how one thinks, to even social and electronic messaging. The third house helps
guide one to build close relationships with their peers. This house also covers siblings, teachers,
and the community. (Ruled by Gemini)
4th House
The fourth house sits at the bottom of the zodiac wheel. Thus, it rules the foundation of all
things, including your home, privacy, your basic security, your parents (mother), children, your
mothering abilities, and nurturing. (Ruled by Cancer)
5th House
The fifth house is all about self-expression, creativity, and celebration. This house is very
fertile because it rules the creation of all things, how we express ourselves in artistic and
dramatic ways. This house governs attention, play, the joys of romance and love, and arts such
as theater, music, and painting. (Ruled by Leo)
6th House
The sixth house is all about service and health. Topics in this house include organization, daily
routines, fitness, self-care, natural living, and service to other people and the planet. You can
begin to see how the topics build upon each other, moving from selfhood and identity to
expression to service. After the 6th house, the themes turn outward toward the betterment of
society and the care of the body. (Ruled by Virgo)
7th House
The seventh house focus is on relationships with people. It is all about business and personal
partnerships and relationship-associated matters. Such as contracts, marriage, and business
deals. Creating a balance of two forces is the goal of this house. (Ruled by Libra)
8th House
The eighth house is all about mystery. This house rules birth, death, sex, and transformation.
This house also rules in finances such as inheritances, investments, and real estate. This house
is all about looking into the depths, sorting through energy and resources, and getting to know
the self and others on a deep level. Its the zone of merging, where two become one and is
associated with reproduction and regeneration. (Ruled by Scorpio)
9th House
The ninth house is connected to expansive thinking and growth of all kinds, including global
travel, higher-level learning, philosophy, religion, belief systems, as well as what we believe in.
It is all about how we take risks and venture to various parts of the world, our minds, and our
beings. (Ruled by Sagittarius)
10th House
The tenth house, located at the top of the chart, is the zodiac’s most visible and public area. The
tenth house rules in traditions and institutional structures, representing the legacy of what we
are meant to leave in this world. This house is also about honors, achievements, fame, public
reputation, authority, and fatherhood. The ruling sign of the 10th house border is called the
midheaven, and it can give astrologers a sense of your career path. (Ruled by Capricorn)
11th House
The eleventh house rules partnerships, associations, friends, and society. Everything from social
justice, rebellion to humanitarian causes and technology. It also leads to originality, eccentricity,
surprises, invention, and all things futuristic. (Ruled by Aquarius)
12th House
The twelfth house is the final realm on the zodiacal wheel, which rules in endings. This house is
about the final stages, completions, the afterlife, getting older, and surrender. It’s also
associated with institutions, separation from society, hidden agendas, secrets, and the
subconscious mind. (Ruled by Pisces)
Understanding the astrological rulers of each of your 12 houses will help you see where your
planets are in your birth chart. If you have your Sun in Libra and it lands in the Eighth House,
you now know that your sun sign is deeply influenced by Scorpio energy because Scorpio rules
the eighth house. For more information on birth charts, check out the TCR blog “Sun, Moon,
Rising – What Does It All Mean? Your Birth Chart Breakdown!”
