In astrology, the houses represent the various spheres of human life. It gives us an additional layer of understanding who we innately are. Overall, the planets represent motivation. The signs show us how we will use that motivation. The houses show us in which area of life that motivation will be manifested in.
Only with your exact time of birth can you receive an accurate display of the house distribution in your natal chart. There are many house systems to work with in astrology. Although this article will not focus on the house systems, we will go through house to house to understand the overall meaning of each area of life.
The Twelve Houses
There are twelve houses. Each house is associated with one of the twelve zodiac signs. It is important to mention that no matter if you have a planet or many planets in that house or not, that house will still give us insights into that area of life. Especially through the transits of the planets we can see what house (or area of life) is being activated by certain planets. This is where it gets interesting and complex in astrology.
Below are the main descriptions and understanding of the houses in astrology, yet are not limited to. As the house depending on the planet and sign it is in your natal chart can deliver further underlying meanings.
First House (Aries and Mars)
Identity, physical being, sense of self, presence, perspective, ego
Second House (Taurus and Venus)
Values, material, possessions, money, objects, belongings
Third House (Gemini and Mercury)
Local community, communication, peers, colleagues, classmates, siblings
Fourth House (Cancer and Moon)
Home, family, origin, roots, background, maternal lineage
Fifth House (Leo and Sun)
Creativity, passion, children, romance, performance, play, pleasure
Sixth House (Virgo and Mercury)
Health, wellness, daily rituals, exercise, diet, routines, habits
Seventh house (Libra and Venus)
Partnerships, contracts, commitments, alliances, unions, approvals
Eighth house (Scorpio and Mars/Pluto)
Intimacy, sexuality, transformation, trauma, implications, inheritance, investments, magick
Ninth house (Sagittarius and Jupiter)
Travel, philosophy, higher education, opportunity, expansion
Tenth house (Capricorn and Saturn)
Reputation, legacy, achievement, success, potential, paternal lineage
Eleventh house (Aquarius and Saturn/Uranus)
Humanitarianism, technology, networks, distant relatives, medicine, collective ideology
Twelfth house (Pisces and Jupiter/Neptune)
Subconscious, astral realm, mysticism, escapism, secrets, release, dissolution
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About the writer
Inés Kelly is a trauma-informed space holder and integral guide in Human Design, Gene Keys and astrology. Her multi-cultural background has gifted her with the insight of various rituals and traditions. Bringing the ancestral and the honoring of the natural cycles to the community is a deep value she holds.
Resources:
Parkers’ Astrology by Julia and Derek Parker
This is Your Destiny by Aliza Kelly