The 12 Astrological Houses

Houses are the WHERE of astrology—the life areas where planetary energies play out. Your birth time determines which house is which.

home 12 Life Areas schedule Birth Time Required school Beginner

Understanding Astrological Houses

If signs describe how planets express themselves, houses describe where in life that expression happens. Think of your birth chart as a stage divided into 12 sections—each house is a different area of life where the cosmic drama unfolds.

The 1st house (Ascendant) begins at the eastern horizon at your birth moment. The houses then proceed counter-clockwise around the chart, each governing a specific life domain.

warning Important: Birth Time Matters

Without an accurate birth time, house positions are unreliable. The Ascendant changes approximately every 2 hours, which shifts your entire house structure. If you don't know your birth time, focus on planets in signs rather than houses.

The 12 Houses Explained

1 Aries

House 1: Self & Identity

Your mask to the world. How others first perceive you, your physical appearance, and how you initiate action.

Keywords: Appearance, first impressions, physical body, self-expression, personality, beginnings

2 Taurus

House 2: Money & Values

What you own and what you value—including your self-worth. How you earn money and what gives you security.

Keywords: Finances, possessions, self-worth, talents, resources, material security

3 Gemini

House 3: Communication

Your immediate environment, how you communicate, process information, and interact with siblings and neighbors.

Keywords: Siblings, short trips, learning, writing, neighbors, daily environment

4 Cancer

House 4: Home & Family

Your roots, emotional foundation, family of origin, and how you create home. The most private part of your chart.

Keywords: Roots, parents, ancestry, emotional foundation, private life, real estate

5 Leo

House 5: Creativity & Romance

Where you shine creatively, romantic encounters (not marriage), children, and what brings you genuine joy.

Keywords: Children, love affairs, hobbies, self-expression, pleasure, drama

6 Virgo

House 6: Health & Service

Your daily rituals, work environment (not career), health habits, and how you serve others.

Keywords: Daily routines, work habits, health, pets, service, improvement

7 Libra

House 7: Partnerships

Committed partnerships of all kinds. What you seek in others and attract in relationships. Your 'shadow self.'

Keywords: Marriage, business partners, open enemies, contracts, one-on-one relationships

8 Scorpio

House 8: Transformation

Deep transformation, sexuality, shared finances, psychological depths, and what you merge with others.

Keywords: Death/rebirth, shared resources, intimacy, taxes, inheritance, secrets

9 Sagittarius

House 9: Expansion & Philosophy

Your search for meaning—through travel, education, philosophy, religion, and expanding beyond the familiar.

Keywords: Higher education, travel, beliefs, publishing, foreign cultures, meaning

10 Capricorn

House 10: Career & Public Image

Your public face, career path, and what you're known for. How you contribute to society and build your legacy.

Keywords: Profession, reputation, achievements, authority, public role, legacy

11 Aquarius

House 11: Community & Future

Your social network, group involvement, hopes for the future, and connection to collective movements.

Keywords: Friends, groups, hopes, wishes, humanitarian causes, technology

12 Pisces

House 12: Spirituality & Transcendence

The hidden realm—your unconscious patterns, spiritual life, what you need to release, and connection to the unseen.

Keywords: Solitude, hidden matters, subconscious, institutions, karma, endings

House Categories

🌟 Angular Houses (1, 4, 7, 10)

The most powerful houses. Planets here are prominently expressed and visible in your life. These are the "action" houses.

🔄 Succedent Houses (2, 5, 8, 11)

Follow the angular houses and provide stability. These are the "resource" houses—where you consolidate and build on what the angular houses initiate.

✨ Cadent Houses (3, 6, 9, 12)

The most mental/spiritual houses. Planets here work behind the scenes—less visibly but often with great depth. These are the "learning" houses.

Get Your Full House Analysis

Want to understand what planets in each of YOUR houses mean? Our astrology experts can analyze your complete house placements and reveal how the 12 life areas are uniquely configured for you.

auto_awesome Get Your House Reading

Related Astrology Guides

Birth Chart Basics

Start here to understand how signs, planets, and houses work together.

Rising Sign Guide

Your Ascendant is the 1st house cusp—learn why it's so important.

Transits Guide

How current planets activate different houses in your chart.

Houses FAQ

Common questions about astrological houses and chart interpretation.

What determines my house placements?

add

Your birth time is crucial! Houses are calculated from your Ascendant (rising sign), which changes every 2 hours. Without an accurate birth time, house placements are approximate at best.

What if I have an empty house?

add

Empty houses don't mean those life areas are inactive. The sign on the house cusp and its ruling planet elsewhere in your chart still influence that domain. Empty houses often function smoothly without major drama.

Why are some of my houses bigger than others?

add

Depending on your birth latitude and the house system used, some houses can span more than one sign (intercepted signs) while others are smaller. This is normal and part of your unique chart geometry.

What are the angular houses?

add

Houses 1, 4, 7, and 10 are the most powerful "angular" houses. Planets here are prominently expressed in your life. They correspond to the Ascendant, IC, Descendant, and Midheaven.

Do planets in houses override sign placements?

add

No—they work together. The planet is WHAT, the sign is HOW, and the house is WHERE. Mars in Libra in the 10th house means: action/drive (Mars) expressed diplomatically (Libra) in career/public life (10th house).

The 12 Astrological Houses

Understanding Astrological Houses

warning Important: Birth Time Matters

The 12 Houses Explained

House 1: Self & Identity

House 2: Money & Values

House 3: Communication

House 4: Home & Family

House 5: Creativity & Romance

House 6: Health & Service

House 7: Partnerships

House 8: Transformation

House 9: Expansion & Philosophy

House 10: Career & Public Image

House 11: Community & Future

House 12: Spirituality & Transcendence

House Categories

🌟 Angular Houses (1, 4, 7, 10)

🔄 Succedent Houses (2, 5, 8, 11)

✨ Cadent Houses (3, 6, 9, 12)

Get Your Full House Analysis

Related Astrology Guides

Birth Chart Basics

Rising Sign Guide

Transits Guide

Houses FAQ

What determines my house placements?

What if I have an empty house?

Why are some of my houses bigger than others?

What are the angular houses?

Do planets in houses override sign placements?

Begin Your Mystical Journey Today

Access Your Mystical Journey