Astro Basics

If you’ve ever looked at your birth chart and felt overwhelmed by all those lines, numbers, and symbols, you’re not alone! Today, we’re going to break down one of the most important parts of astrology: the twelve houses. Think of them as different rooms in the house of your life.

What will you read here:

1. What Are Astrological Houses?
2. The 12 Houses and What They Mean
   1. House 1: Your Identity (The House of Self)
   2. House 2: Your Money and Values (The House of Possessions)
   3. House 3: Your Communication (The House of Communication)
   4. House 4: Your Home and Family (The House of Home)
   5. House 5: Your Creativity and Fun (The House of Pleasure)
   6. House 6: Your Daily Life and Health (The House of Service)
   7. House 7: Your Relationships (The House of Partnership)
   8. House 8: Your Transformations (The House of Transformation)
   9. House 9: Your Beliefs and Adventures (The House of Philosophy)
   10. House 10: Your Career and Reputation (The House of Career)
   11. House 11: Your Friends and Dreams (The House of Community)
   12. House 12: Your Spirituality and Subconscious (The House of Spirituality)
3. How to Read Houses in Your Chart
   1. Quick Examples
   2. Empty Houses: Don’t Worry!
   3. Your Personal Life Map
   4. Getting Started
4. The Bottom Line

What Are Astrological Houses?

Imagine your birth chart as a pizza cut into 12 slices. Each slice is called a “house,” and each house represents a different area of your life. Just like how your kitchen is for cooking and your bedroom is for sleeping, each astrological house has its own special purpose and meaning.

The houses are numbered 1 through 12, starting from the left side of your chart and moving counterclockwise (like going backwards on a clock).

The 12 Houses and What They Mean

House 1: Your Identity (The House of Self)

This is all about YOU – your personality, appearance, and first impressions. It’s like looking in a mirror and seeing who you really are.

The beginning of the First House marks your Ascendant, also known as your rising sign.

House 2: Your Money and Values (The House of Possessions)

This house covers your relationship with money, what you own, and what you value most in life. Think of it as your personal treasure chest.

House 3: Your Communication (The House of Communication)

Everything about how you talk, learn, and connect with others nearby. This includes your siblings, neighbors, and short trips around town.

House 4: Your Home and Family (The House of Home)

Your roots, family background, childhood, and what makes you feel safe and secure. It’s your emotional foundation.

The beginning of the Fourth House is called the Imum Coeli (Latin for ‘bottom of the sky’), or IC. It represents the lowest point in the birth chart.

House 5: Your Creativity and Fun (The House of Pleasure)

Romance, children, hobbies, art, and anything that brings you joy. This is your “play time” house.

House 6: Your Daily Life and Health (The House of Service)

Your work routine, health habits, pets, and daily responsibilities. It’s about taking care of yourself and others

House 7: Your Relationships (The House of Partnership)

Marriage, business partnerships, and close one-on-one relationships. It’s about how you connect with others as equals.

The beginning of Seventh House is called the Descendant and it represents your relationship mirror.

House 8: Your Transformations (The House of Transformation)

Deep changes, shared resources, taxes, and life’s mysteries. This house deals with things that transform you completely.

House 9: Your Beliefs and Adventures (The House of Philosophy)

Higher education, travel to faraway places, religion, and your personal beliefs about life’s big questions.

House 10: Your Career and Reputation (The House of Career)

Your job, public image, reputation, and what you’re known for in the world. It’s about your professional life.

The beginning of the Tenth House is known as the Midheaven, or Medium Coeli (MC). It represents the highest point in your birth chart.

House 11: Your Friends and Dreams (The House of Community)

Friendships, group activities, hopes for the future, and causes you care about. It’s your social circle and biggest dreams.

House 12: Your Spirituality and Subconscious (The House of Spirituality)

Hidden things, spirituality, dreams, and your subconscious mind. It represents what’s beneath the surface.

How to Read Houses in Your Chart

Here’s a simple way to start interpreting houses:

Step 1: Find the House Look at your birth chart and locate the house you want to understand (they’re usually numbered 1-12).

Step 2: See What’s Inside Check if there are any planets in that house. Planets are like actors performing on the stage of that house.

Step 3: Understand the Story If you have planets in a house, that area of life is especially important for you. No planets? That area might be more stable or require less active attention.

Quick Examples

Lots of planets in House 7? Relationships are super important in your life.

Planets in House 10? Your career and public image matter a lot to you.

Nothing in House 2? You might have a more relaxed attitude about money

Empty Houses: Don’t Worry!

Many beginners panic when they see empty houses in their chart. Don’t worry! An empty house doesn’t mean that area of life doesn’t exist for you. It just means you might handle that area more naturally, without major drama or intense focus.

Your Personal Life Map

Think of the houses as your personal GPS for life. They show you which areas need your attention and where your natural strengths lie. Some houses will be busier than others, and that’s perfectly normal!

Getting Started

To begin working with houses:

1. Get your birth chart (you’ll need your exact birth time, date, and location)
2. Look for which houses have planets in them
3. Read about what those houses mean
4. Notice patterns in your own life that match the descriptions

Remember, astrology is a tool for self-understanding, not a rulebook. Use what resonates with you and don’t worry about understanding everything at once.

The Bottom Line

Astrological houses are like a roadmap showing the different areas of your life where the cosmic energy plays out. Some areas will be highlighted more than others, and that’s what makes your chart uniquely yours.

Start with the houses that have the most planets in them – these are likely the areas where you’ll see the strongest connections to your real life experiences.

Ready to explore your own cosmic house? Grab your birth chart and start discovering which rooms of your life the stars want to highlight!