Houses in Astrology
Welcome to your complete beginner’s guide to the astrological houses—one of the most important, yet often confusing, parts of astrology.
Let’s break down the astrology houses. Whether you’re new to astrology or just looking to deepen your knowledge, this page will help you understand what each house means and how it influences your chart.

The 12 Astrology Houses Explained
1st House
House of Self (The Ascendant)
The 1st house is the gateway to your entire birth chart, beginning at the Ascendant or rising sign.
It represents your outward identity, how you present yourself to the world, your physical body, and the “vibe” people pick up on when they first meet you.
This house shows how you instinctively react to new situations and how you assert yourself in the world.
Planets placed here play a big role in shaping your personality and personal style. Think of the 1st house as your personal mask, both what you show and how you initiate life.
2nd House
House of Values & Finances
The 2nd house in astrology focuses on your relationship with money, possessions, and the concept of value, both material and emotional.
It represents your earning potential, financial stability, and the things you need to feel secure. But this house isn’t just about wealth; it also covers your sense of self-worth and confidence in your own abilities.
Do you believe you deserve abundance? That’s the 2nd house speaking.
Planets here influence your financial habits and what you value most in life.
3rd House
House of Communication
The 3rd house governs your mental processes and communication style.
It’s associated with how you speak, write, learn, and connect to your immediate environment, like siblings, neighbors, and short trips.
This house also rules early education and how you picked up information during childhood.
Planets here shape how curious, talkative, or analytical you are.
If you want to understand your communication strengths and challenges, the 3rd house holds the key.
The 4th house, rooted at the Imum Coeli (IC), represents your private life, family background, and emotional core.
It’s the part of your chart that speaks to your childhood, home life, and ancestral roots.
This house also reflects how you nurture others and how you need to be nurtured in return. It’s deeply connected to your sense of safety, security, and where you feel most “at home.” Planets here influence your relationship with family, especially your mother or the parent who raised you.
5th House
House of Creativity & Pleasure
The 5th house is your cosmic playground, it rules creativity, joy, romance, and anything you do for pleasure.
This is the house of artistic expression, hobbies, dating, and even your relationship with children or your inner child.
It shows how you seek attention and express love or passion.
Planets here can indicate natural talents or the need for recognition and admiration. If you want insight into what makes you feel alive, playful, and creative, this is the house to watch.
6th House
House of Health & Daily Routine
The 6th house governs your daily life, your routines, health, work environment, and how you handle responsibility.
This house also rules physical wellness, diet, and how you care for your body through consistent habits. It’s associated with service, showing how you contribute to others through your skills or support roles.
Planets here reveal how disciplined, organized, or anxious you may be in handling everyday demands. If you’re exploring work-life balance or wellness, start with the 6th house.
7th House
House of Partnerships (Descendant)
The 7th house, which begins at your Descendant, focuses on committed one-on-one relationships, like marriage, business partnerships, and close friendships.
It represents the qualities you seek in others and how you approach long-term commitments. This house also shows how you balance independence with cooperation.
Planets here influence your relationship style, attachment patterns, and even the kinds of people you attract. It’s the house of mirrors, revealing parts of yourself through your partnerships.
8th House
House of Transformation & Intimacy
The 8th house is one of the most complex and powerful, it rules transformation, deep emotional bonds, intimacy, and shared resources.
This is the house of death and rebirth, not always literal, but symbolic of powerful change and inner evolution. It’s where you merge with others financially, emotionally, or sexually. Planets here can bring intensity, trauma, or profound healing.
If you want to understand your patterns around vulnerability, power, or emotional growth, the 8th house is where to look.
9th House
House of Beliefs & Expansion
The 9th house is all about expansion, of the mind, spirit, and worldview. It rules travel, philosophy, higher education, spirituality, and your search for meaning.
This house shows how you explore life beyond your immediate environment, whether through study, cultural experiences, or belief systems.
Planets here influence your openness to new ideas, moral values, and long-distance journeys. If you’re drawn to explore life’s big questions, this house points to your personal compass.
10th House
House of Career & Public Life (MC)
The 10th house, anchored by the Midheaven (MC), rules your career, reputation, and life goals.
It reflects your ambitions, achievements, and the mark you want to leave on the world.
This house shows how the world sees you, and how you want to be seen.
Planets here can highlight your talents, leadership potential, or challenges in public life. If you want to understand your professional path or long-term goals, the 10th house is key.
11th House
House of Community & Goals
The 11th house is where you connect with the collective, through friendships, communities, group work, and shared ideals.
It represents your social life and how you fit into larger networks. This house also covers long-term hopes, dreams, and your vision for the future.
Planets here can show your role in society and the kind of support systems you need. If you’re curious about your friendships, social purpose, or humanitarian instincts, this is your go-to house.
12th House
House of the Subconscious
The 12th house is the realm of the unseen, it governs the subconscious mind, spiritual connection, hidden fears, and deep healing. It’s associated with solitude, dreams, meditation, and anything that takes you beyond the material world.
This house often reveals what’s buried beneath the surface: emotional patterns, karmic lessons, or inner blocks.
Planets here can indicate a rich inner life but also a need for retreat or emotional processing. If you’re on a path of spiritual growth or emotional healing, the 12th house holds your inner mysteries.
Why the Houses Matter
Astrology is more than just your Sun sign. The astrological houses tell you where life is happening. By understanding which areas of your life are being lit up by different planetary energies, you can gain deeper self-awareness and even predict patterns and themes.
Whether you’re navigating love, looking for purpose, or working on healing, knowing your houses can change the way you understand yourself.