The Houses of Your Astrology Chart

The horoscope is divided into twelve houses, each taking up 30 degrees (1/12) of the 360-degree circle; each house describes a different area of your life and correspond to its corresponding sign. The planets reside in your houses, and describe your actions within each house. Numbered 1 through 12, they start at the center left-hand side of the horoscope wheel and proceed counterclockwise. The lines that separate the houses are called cusps.

First House/Ascendant: Your Ascendant (or Rising Sign) is the sign that was on the Eastern horizon at the time of your birth. The first house and your Ascendant describe your physical traits and characteristics, as well as the face you show the world. See “What Does Your Ascendant Mean?” for more information on your Ascendant. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, governs the first house in the natural zodiac. 

Second House: Your second house is the house of money, wealth, and personal possessions. Your self-worth and attitudes towards monetary success will be affected by any planet in this house. Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, governs the second house in the natural zodiac.

Third House: The third house is the house of communication, and describes not only your childhood and your family environment but also your mental abilities and how you communicate and express yourself. Gemini, the third sign of the zodiac, governs the third house in the natural zodiac.

Fourth House/IC: The fourth house represents your home and family, and the environment into which you were born (and which shaped you as a young child). The line that creates the cusp of the fourth house is also the IC (imum coeli), which is the lowest point of the horoscope; it is fitting that the IC describes our roots. The IC is directly opposite the Midheaven (MC) in the tenth house. Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, governs the fourth house in the natural zodiac.

Fifth House: The fifth house is the house of children and entertainment. Your emotional and romantic tendencies, how you relate to children, and how you express yourself while having fun (such as games and gambling) are all expressed by the fifth house. Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac, governs the fifth house in the natural zodiac.

Sixth House: The sixth house is the house of work; not necessarily where you work, but rather how you work, will be expressed by this house. This is a house of daily routines and tasks. How you relate to others (pets and animals included) and general health and well being are also explained by the sixth house. Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac, governs the sixth house in the natural zodiac.

Seventh House/Descendant: This is the house of marriage and relationships between others. All contracts, partnerships, relationships, and marriages are governed by the seventh house. The line that forms the cusp of the seventh house is the Descendant; it is the sign (opposite your Ascendant) that was in the West at the time of your birth. Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac, governs the seventh house in the natural zodiac.

Eighth House: The eighth house is the house of sex and death, or regeneration (sex) and degeneration (death). Cycles of death and rebirth are governed by the eighth house, along with renewal and psychic matters/intuition. Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac, governs the eighth house in the natural zodiac.

Ninth House: This is the house of travel and journey. Any long journeys, your personal education and philosophy, learning foreign languages, and mental and spiritual growth are all shown by the ninth house. Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac, governs the ninth house in the natural zodiac.

Tenth House/Midheaven: The tenth house is your house of career. Your status, ambitions, goals, are all represented by the tenth house. The line that forms the cusp of the tenth house is your Midheaven (MC), which represents what you know (or can know) about yourself. Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac, governs the tenth house in the natural zodiac.

Eleventh House: This is the house of friendship. All friendships, social clubs, and other such relationships are governed by the eleventh house. In addition, your hopes, dreams, and wishes are also governed by the eleventh house. Aquarius, the eleventh sign of the zodiac, governs the eleventh house in the natural zodiac.

Twelfth House: The twelfth house is the house of secrets, which can be both physical (including places like hospitals or jails) or mental. This house describes those things that test us. Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, governs the twelfth house in the natural zodiac.