A Deep Dive into the 12 Houses
Dare I say, the only guide for them that you'll ever need?
Hey witchy kids!
My Virgo Mars really popped off with this one (there might have been some caffeine and hyper-fixation involved). This is a draft I’ve started, paused, and come back to repeatedly for the last few months. The magnitude of writing 150+ descriptions to cover every major house-related question has been a time consuming, albeit fun undertaking.
I want to thank each of you for making it possible for me to sit down and just write. Somewhere along the way I forgot how much I love it, and thanks to your support, I can properly devote more time to musings, educational resources, and horoscopes.
Alright, houses. No judgment here if you tend to skip over them! At the beginning of my own astrology journey, I put it off. They felt overwhelming to interpret until I realized how much detail was getting lost in my procrastination.
My intention is for this to be a cheat sheet you can save and refer back to for practically any house placement.
(I kindly request that you not redistribute my interpretations, and please include credit in any reference or reposting.)
It’s important to truly conceptualize what a house is. If the entire circle of the birth chart encapsulates your life karma, houses are how we know which areas of life are emphasized for you. They are the borders that divvy up the circle into 12 parts.
While this post can be applied to any house system, please indulge my nerdy soapbox moment on behalf of my favorite style.
I prefer Placidus (where houses are different sizes) because I don’t believe one size fits all. The existence of the chart itself (for instance, stelliums being a concentrated clump of planets) proves your soul chose to highlight some themes over others… Why would the areas of your life be any different? You and every other person with the same rising sign have a ‘copy and paste’ house setup in Whole Sign. So while it’s a great system for keeping astrology simple, particularly for beginners and horoscope writers… a lot of complexity gets traded for the clean edges of the chart.
Your house sizes are influenced by the longitude and latitude of birth; are we to believe that where your soul chose its vessel was not part of your karma? That two people born in San Francisco and London should have identical houses just because they’re both Gemini risings?
I don’t buy it. (Is my sassy double Aries coming through? It was only a matter of time.) You do you, though! I support what feels most aligned because you know yourself best. My house descriptions in this post are applicable to all chart styles, so we can still be friends… right? Hehehe.
I’m not interested in sanding over the bumpy ridges and nudging your nuance into line; if we turn to astrology to understand the unique signatures of these one-of-a-kind charts, shouldn’t we opt for the system that adds detail, not the one that takes it away?
~End rant.~
At its most simple, every aspect of your life falls into the domain of their varied areas of rulership. It’s impossible to have a planet in every house, so don’t fret if a few are empty! This is part of your cosmic make up.
If your soul is the artist, the houses are your canvas.
Planets provide pigment, signs reveal the design; aspects are brushes that blend it all together.
Each iota of detail in your chart is in collaboration with everything else. Nothing exists in a vacuum within your celestial blueprint. The house of a planet reveals where that part of you wants to come through and be known. A 10th house Mercury channels their mental fortitude into work and career, with a mind that wants to be known and seen — while a 4th house Mercury prefers to plan family outings and organize the home, more focused on caretaking their inner world and immediate surroundings.
Without the houses, there would be no context for where life events occur, where your traits shine through, or where your karma affects you — nor would we have the capacity for relationship synastry (a topic for another day).
The simplest introduction to the houses, is that they are each associated with the qualities of the sign that shares its number. It’s all synchronized…
[We do not consider Aries to be the ruler of the first house, but rather Aries energy influences what the first house presides over. This language may feel redundant, but it is important the more advanced you go.]
For any beginners here, memorizing the quality of the signs, the number and planet associated with them, is the fastest way to have instant memory recall of the houses.
So if I say 10, you think Capricorn — how could that archetype translate to life themes? — It’s the area associated with career, reputation, larger purpose, ambition, public image. Saturnian energy. By default, you could immediately extrapolate that any transits passing through the 10th house would affect your career, and any planets falling in the 10th house natally (your chart positions that never change) are the energy you bring into public-facing pursuits.
“Will I struggle to be successful with an empty 10th house?” No!
Let’s unpack empty houses.
An empty house is not an empty area of life. 10 planets and 12 houses means statistically, everyone will have an empty house without a planetary presence. This is not cause for concern. That area simply wasn’t highlighted as being a deep priority for you, but it doesn’t mean you won’t have experiences related to that theme! That’s a dangerous and negligent assumption for any astrologer to share and it should instead be seen as, “where are you focusing on in this lifetime?”
What happens when I have multiple signs in the same house?
In traditional astrology, the house is ruled by the sign in which the house begins. More modern astrologers, myself included, will interpret all the signs inside as influencing that area. Think of it like a BOGO, two for the price of one. A sign that doesn’t touch either edge of a house cusp can feel repressed, isolated, and internalized. It acts like “a room within a room,” as described by Joanne Wickenburg. (Intercepted signs will be its own post.)
Basics before we begin:
1st: Body, self-image, personal identity
2nd: Finances, stability, self-worth
3rd: Communication, ideas, sharing
4th: Family, home, unconscious, roots
5th: Creativity, play, ego, being seen
6th: Health, wellness, service, routines
7th: Relationships, balance, boundaries
8th: Intimacy, privacy, shadow work
9th: Big ideas, travel, study, expansion
10th: Career, reputation, work ethic
11th: Friends, technology, community
12th: Spirit, mysticism, subconscious
The signs through the houses:
When a house includes Aries, this is the area of your life where you are destined to feel more independent. A go-getter, the first to act and decide. Where standing on your own is important, with a tinge of impulse and lone-wolf syndrome. Commit to being a trailblazer in this area. (For example, Aries in the 8th house seeks out their own growth and self-development.)
When a house includes Taurus, this is the area of life where it is important to have a strong sense of values, where you might excel building personal wealth, where your standards and morals are unflinching. You crave stability in this area, and to keep it simple and steady. (For example, Taurus in the 12th house would benefit from a simple spiritual practice like a daily 5-minute meditation or walk in the woods.)
When a house includes Gemini, this is the area of life where you are driven by curiosity. Where it is important to refine your personal voice and narrative. Where self-expression is essential and you’ve got several irons in the fire. (For example, Gemini in the 6th house would find service through writing, talking, sharing; a great teacher or therapist archetype.)
When a house includes Cancer, this is the area of life that feels like home to you, where you have karma with family and feel rooted or displaced. This area can impact your outlook on starting a family of your own. (For example, Cancer in the 2nd house deeply values home ownership, high thread count, and family stability.)
When a house includes Leo, this is the area of life where you are the main character. Where it is important to get comfortable taking up space, being seen; where you must get in the habit of self-promotion and aggrandizement. Overcoming shyness is essential! (For example, Leo in the 9th house may excel in academia getting their papers published or being known for a teacher, spiritual guide, or subject matter expert.)
When a house includes Virgo, this is the area of life where you must have your ducks in a row. Where your routines determine your success. Where the “health” of this area must be a priority. Where are you feel called to be of service and do good in the world. (For example, Virgo in the 1st house highlights a need for optimal physical health.)
When a house includes Libra, this is the area of your life most deeply influenced by your relationships to others. Where compromise and harmony are valued, where codependency can be an issue, where you prioritize love, beauty, and the arts. (For example, Libra in the 10th house could be a pro at networking and prioritizing beneficial work relationships, cofounders, or family/partner-based business.)
When a house includes Scorpio, this is the area of life where you must volunteer yourself for personal transformation. It is where topics of intimacy, sexuality, psychological issues, inheritance (financial and karmic) often arise. Where the bulk of our ‘shadow work’ takes place and ownership of deep personal power can happen. (For example, Scorpio in the 11th house could mean having a social circle that’s tight knit or goes through big changes together.)
When a house includes Sagittarius, this is the area of life where you desire freedom, new experiences, and are always learning. Where you may refuse to settle, play it safe, or live a mundane life. Where the grass might appear greener, or where too much of a good thing is possible. New and refreshing ways of living in this area are needed. (For example, Sagittarius in the 4th house is a free soul who feels more at home in the world than they do in suburbia.)
When a house includes Capricorn, this is the area of your life where you are meant to be industrious. To come up with your own solutions, be your own boss (literally or energetically), and where you might find success or feel like a late bloomer. Honor the urge to platform or monetize this area, or center your career here. (For example, Capricorn in the 5th house could be a professional artist.)
When a house includes Aquarius, this is the area of life where you do not want to play by society’s rules. This is where community is important to you, but you must honor your uniqueness. This is where you are naturally the black sheep, where astrology piques your interest, and any other futuristic outlets find a home. (For example, Aquarius in the 3rd house makes an excellent horoscope writer, researcher, or scientist.)
When a house includes Pisces, this is the area of life where you have spiritual and artistic inclinations. Where you are the most sensitive to spirit and divinity. Where you might lack structure or discipline, for which you make up for in poetic, creative, or esoteric outlets. This may also be the area of your life where you are prone to escapism or reliance on substance. (For example, Pisces in the 7th house romanticizes love, has strong idealism in relationships, and might escape into them.)
Planets, Chiron, & Nodes through the houses:
Your rising sign is the beginning of your first house. It rules your sense of personal identity, appearance, the way you see yourself, and the way you are perceived. It is associated with the qualities of Aries. On a spiritual level, it’s also your soul’s agreement. The more you RISE into the quality of that sign, the more you APPEAR as that sign. (Thanks to DSA for being the first to describe it to me in this way.) This is why pop astrology describes it in layman’s terms as a ‘mask’. Not quite… it’s the physical embodiment of coming to terms with your soul’s promise to ascend and integrate the wisdom of that sign. Anything that falls in the first house may feel natural to identify with or integrate into your persona. These are the planets & placements you “wear on your sleeve.”
If you have placements in your 1st house, ask:
Do I personally identify with the energy of this planet? (Mars in the 1st house is someone who takes pride in being action-oriented, the first to do it.)
How does this planet show up in my personality? (Venus in the 1st house is seen as romantic, rose-colored glasses type.)
How does this planet affect my sense of identity and personal style? (Uranus in the 1st has an eclectic fashion sense, mixing patterns and rebelling against “what’s in”)
Do other people see me as displaying the energy of this planet? (Saturn in the 1st leads with personal authority, commands a room)
Do I wear these qualities on my sleeve?
Sun: your identity requires that you have a strong sense of self.
Moon: you wear your emotions on your sleeve and lead with them.
Mercury: you identify with your intellect, easily advocate for yourself.
Venus: you wear your heart on your sleeve and seem loving, kind, romantic.
Mars: you identify as someone who readily takes action; impulsive or headstrong.
Jupiter: you have a big personality; there’s a magnetic draw to you, fame likely.
Saturn: you have a more serious personality and strong sense of responsibility.
Uranus: you identify as being the black sheep, weirdo, eclectic. Anxious body.
Neptune: you identify as a spiritual person, can feel misunderstood or depressed.
Pluto: you have a strong sense of personal power or intense physical changes.
Chiron: lack of personal identity, self consciousness, body dysmorphia.
North Node: you’re being pushed to be independent, despite the discomfort.
South Node: you default to being a lone wolf and need to find more balance.
Journal prompt: my sense of personal identity is heavily influenced by the presence of ______ in my first house…