House Basics
houses represent areas and arenas of life
While the Planets represent psychological functions (the What’s) in the chart, and the Signs represent the traits and characteristics (the How’s and Why’s), the Houses define the Where in the chart. The complete human experience is encapsulated in the twelve houses with each one defining a specific arena of life.
first house
the house of self
Associated sign: aries
associated planet: mars
The first house is known as the House of Self. This is a very important house as it defines you in the most physical sense. The sign that the cusp of this house is in determines your Rising Sign, also known as the Ascendant. The first house is about how you are in the world, the first impression people have of you, the way you come off in the most physical sense. This house defines your persona, the role you play on the stage that is the world. Planets here bring their energy right to the forefront. You can read more about the Rising Sign here.
Second house
the house of money & Possessions
associated sign: taurus
associated planet: venus
The second house is the House of Money & Possessions. It defines areas of life such as how you acquire, and use, money, what you value, material possessions, and your sense of self-esteem. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas of life.
third house
the house of intellect & communication
associated sign: gemini
associated planet: mercury
The third House of Intellect & Communication covers our thinking, learning, data gathering, observation, and the expression of our intellect. Communicative activities like writing, poetry, blogging, podcasting, and journalism are also contained in this house, as well as siblings and short-distance travel (road trips and such). The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
fourth house
the house of home & family
associated sign: cancer
associated planet: the moon
In the House of Home & Family, your early foundations are in view. It defines areas of life such as early life experiences, your home life, the family dynamic, spiritual foundations, and traditions. Some also believe this house represents the latter third of your life. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
fifth house
the house of creativity & sex
associated sign: Leo
associated planet: the sun
The fifth house is the House of Creativity & Sex. This is the domain of games, holidays, parties, entertainment, events and other experiences that revolve around having fun. Due to this focus on joy and playfulness, the fifth house is also tied to children. Creative expressions like drama and other performative outlets are within this house. This is also where the fun, light, passionate side of sex is found and sexual liaisons are also under its domain. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
sixth house
the house of work & health
associated sign: virgo
associated planet: mercury
In the sixth House of Work & Health the daily grind is in focus. Life’s responsibilities, duties, routines and habits are here. So is service to others, health (physical and mental), healthcare, nutrition, self-improvement, small animals and pets. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
seventh house
the house of marriage & partnership
associated sign: libra
associated planet: venus
In the House of Marriage & Partnership, the arena of relationships is involved. Here, we find marriage, long-term partnerships - both business and personal - legal affairs, contracts, agreements, and the enemies you fight out in the open (like a courtroom). The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
eighth house
the house of death & regeneration
associated sign: scorpio
associated planet: pluto - mars classically
I know this one sounds scary, but the houses comprise the entirety of the human experience, and, let’s face it, that includes death. But on your chart, the House of Death & Regeneration has more to do with endings that make way for new beginnings than it does some finality. Rising from the ashes so to speak. It covers areas like crisis, how we respond in those times, the secrets we hide, other people’s money, and darker spiritualities. The sexual act is also found here, which makes sense when you think of the symbolism death and regeneration play in more poetic descriptions of sexual climax. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
ninth house
the house of exploration & travel
associated sign: sagittarius
associated planet: jupiter
The ninth House of Exploration & Travel is where we find experiences such as higher education, religion, philosophy, long-distance travel, and foreign lands and cultures. It is closely tied to the search for answers and an expansion of understanding. It's where we search for truth. Also found here are ethics, morality, belief systems, and faith. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
tenth house
the house of career & public standing
associated sign: capricorn
associated planet: saturn
The tenth house is the House of Career & Public Standing. The public square is the domain of the tenth house. This isn’t about home, family, or friends. It’s the public arena. It is associated with career since that is the most public thing the majority of people do. However, along with career, the tenth house contains areas such as achievement, social standing, advancement, community roles, and public recognition. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
eleventh house
the house of friendship
associated sign: aquarius
associated planet: uranus - saturn classically
What would life be without friends? And here in the eleventh house we find friends as well as groups. In addition, defined by this house is technology, societal progress, complex systems, human dynamics, and revolutionary activities. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.
twelfth house
the house of self-transcendence
associated sign: pisces
associated planet: neptune - jupiter classically
The twelfth house has had a complicated history. For a long time, this house was known as the garbage bin of the Zodiac. This was largely due to the societal context and expectations of the Middle Ages when a lot of these ideas solidified. This house deals with the more mystical, dreamy, fantasy-oriented areas of life. Deep spirituality, artistic creativity, compassion, solitude, meditation and chaos are its domain. It's where we have to undo ourselves lest we self-undo. It became associated with prisons, insane asylums and other types of confinement as these were places people who were considered useless to society went. In a feudal environment, there wasn’t a lot of use or appreciation for day-dreamers, strange artists, and deep souls. However, this house also defines hidden talents, hidden secrets and hidden enemies. It is known as the House of Bed Pleasures in some systems. Planets here tend to be very powerful, but are also suppressed and kept below the surface. They need more attention to bring them up from the depths. The Sign and any Planets in this house bring their energy to these areas.