the 12 astrological houses
The 1st house, referred to as the Ascendant: the Self, demeanour, and vitality.
It describes the personality, the natural demeanour of the native as he faces the outside world, and also his physical appearance. It is an essential component for the interpretation of the natal chart, and it is one of the four angles of the natal chart (the four most important houses, which are dealt with below). It is located on the left hand side of the natal chart and corresponds to the place where the sun rises. The first astrological house is in analogy to the first sign of the zodiac, Aries.
The 2nd house: money earned and material goods.
It describes material goods, how they are managed, and how money is earned. In brief, it includes all financial matters but also represents greed and all sorts of possessions. The second astrological house is in analogy to the second sign of the zodiac, Taurus.
The 3rd house: immediate surroundings, siblings, short trips, and studies.
It deals with communication, the close environment (siblings, colleagues, schoolmates), primary and secondary education, apprenticeship. It also describes short trips, transportation, modern means of communication and all practical things. The third astrological house is in analogy to the third sign of the zodiac, Gemini.
The 4th house, referred to as the Imum Coeli: family, home, origins, heredity, and the father.
It represents the native’s family, ancestors, roots, and home, both the home he comes from and the one he will set up. This house also describes the real estate patrimony, childhood, and emotions. It is located at the bottom of the chart, and like the Ascendant, it is an angular house. For some authors, 4th house represents the mother instead of the father. The fourth astrological house is in analogy to the fourth sign of the zodiac, Cancer.
The 5th house: love matters, pleasure, leisure, children, and creations.
It describes the person’s creative and recreational activities, his hobbies, as well as his love affairs, his luck in gambling, his relationships with children in general, including his own. This house covers all pleasant things in the native’s life. The fifth astrological house is in analogy to the fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo.
The 6th house: everyday life, daily work and colleagues, lower-ranking co-workers, and health.
It describes the native’s everyday life, his behaviour at work, minor obligations, servitudes, lower-ranking co-workers, and pets. It also concerns health, medicines and minor illnesses. The sixth astrological house is in analogy to the sixth sign of the zodiac, Virgo.
The 7th house, referred to as the Descendant: unions, marriage, other people, associations, and contracts.
It is opposite the 1st house and thus, represents other people, the native’s behaviour towards other people, his partner (spouse or associate). It concerns contracts, associations, marriage and open enemies. It is through the 7th house that the native perceives other people. It is opposite the ASC, and is located on the right hand side of the natal chart and corresponds to the place where the sun sets. The seventh astrological house is in analogy to the seventh sign of the zodiac, Libra.
The 8th house: passions and crises, transformations, death, financial investments, and sexuality.
It concerns the native’s birth and death. However, it does not necessarily mean actual physical death. It may be a symbolic death, and thus, it is synonymous with evolution and transformation. This house also represents inheritances, money earned by other people, but also sexuality, power, all things hidden, and interest in occultism. The eighth astrological house is in analogy to the heighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpio.
The 9th house: travels, abstract and higher concepts, spirituality, and foreign matters.
It is the realm of spirituality and philosophy, higher ideals, faraway travels, both physical and inner ones. Contrarily to the 3rd house, this house represents higher education and universities, as well as the understanding of abstract topics. It is also related to law and legality, and religion. The ninth astrological house is in analogy to the ninth sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius.
The 10th house, referred to as the Midheaven: social success, professional destiny, and the mother.
It is opposite the 4th house and corresponds to the native’s professional career, as well as his social elevation as compared to his family background. It symbolises his ambitions and his achievements in the society. It is also related to the general public, potential fame, and the mother’s influence. The 10th house is in the Southern part of the natal chart and located at its top. The tenth astrological house is in analogy to the tenth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn.
The 11th house: friends, collective projects, supports and protections in life.
It represents the native’s projects, his friends, and his protectors. It describes the nature of his friends, his group activities, and the place he occupies within the group, contrarily to the more individualistic 5th house. This 11th house is related to all kinds of humanitarian topics. The eleventh astrological house is in analogy to the eleventh sign of the zodiac, Aquarius.
The 12th house: enemies, difficulties, solitude, hidden ordeals, and secrets.
It corresponds to the native’s inner self, ordeals underwent his whole life through, hidden enemies, and serious illnesses. It is related to places of confinement such as hospitals, prisons, convents, etc., and also includes solitude, sacrifices, and self-sacrifice. The twelfth astrological house is in analogy to the twelfth sign of the zodiac, Pisces.