The Twelve Houses of the Horoscope

The Houses are divisions in space (or in time) of the energy field of the earth, such that there is a twelve-fold division, paralleling the twelve-fold division of the Zodiac (the signs). Just like the signs, the houses also reveal an unfolding pattern of growth and development, from the First House to the Twelfth House. The symbolism of the twelve houses reflects that of the twelve signs, although the houses are considered to be more closely connected to mundane earthly affairs. Thus the first, fifth and ninth houses are "fire" houses involved with identity, the second, sixth and tenth houses are "earth" houses concerned with the material plane, the third, seventh and eleventh houses are "air" houses involved with communication and relationship, and the fourth, eighth, and twelfth houses are "water" houses concerned with the depths of the soul or psyche. It is said that the planets are specific energies, modulated by the energy of their sign, which play themselves out in the department of your life represented by their particular house position.

The methods of dividing up the space around the earth into the twelve houses are similar to each other, in that they all involve the same Rising sign, as calculated from the time of birth. Also, the house cusp opposite will always have the opposite degree of the Zodiac, same degree number, but in the opposite sign. Except for the "Equal House" method, the various methods will produce the same MC or Midheaven. The Equal House method just uses the Rising point to define the other cusps, so that the houses each have an equal slice of the Zodiac, 30 degrees apiece. For the Koch, Placidus and Campanus methods, named after their inventors, the intermediate house cusps are calculated in varying methodologies, based on different philosophies and mathematics. For these methods, only the intermediate house cusps will be different (as distinguished from the "Angles" which are the cusps of the first, seventh, fourth and tenth houses). If you do not have a distinct preference for one house system versus another, you can experiment with which method you find the most accurate in the interpretation produced. It is possible to set any one of these four methods as the default.

Below you will find information about the Twelve Houses of the Horoscope, and their correspondences. Click on the House's name to see the interpretations from our acclaimed TimePassages Astrology Software.

The keywords in the chart below provide insight into the major influence of each house, but does not cover the broad range of experiences involved in each house.

Name	Position	Natural Sign / Ruler	Keyword
Ascendant	First House Cusp		Appearance
1^st House	Angular	Aries/Mars	Identity
2^nd House	Succedent	Taurus/Venus	Possessions
3^rd House	Cadent	Gemini/Mercury	Mind
Nadir	Fourth House Cusp		Foundation
4^th House	Angular	Cancer/The Moon	Family
5^th House	Succedent	Leo/The Sun	Creativity
6^th House	Cadent	Virgo/Mercury	Health
Descendant	Seventh House Cusp		Partnership
7^th House	Angular	Libra/Venus	Relationships
8^th House	Succedent	Scorpio/Pluto	Intimacy
9^th House	Cadent	Sagittarius/Jupiter	Learned Beliefs
Midheaven	Tenth House Cusp		Role in Society
10^th House	Angular	Capricorn/Saturn	Career
11^th House	Succedent	Aquarius/Uranus	Organizations
12^th House	Cadent	Pisces/Neptune	Inner Life

Ascendant

Indicates the Cusp of the First House. The Ascendant, or Rising Sign, is the mask shown to others, the way we present ourselves. This sign, along with the sign of the Sun and the sign of the Moon, is an important component of your personality. The sign on the Ascendant often describes one's physical appearance. Those with Leo Rising, for example, are likely to possess a mane of flowing hair. Planets in conjunction with the Ascendant also affect personality and appearance, in accordance with the qualities of the particular planet. The Ascendant represents your persona, or how you appear to others, how others sense you, in your true interaction with the world. In esoteric tradition, the Ascendant represents your true or soul-level personality.

First House

The First House symbolizes the acting self, the personality as it appears to others, and the unfolding of one's individual destiny. Its beginning point is the rising degree, one of the most significant points in the birthchart. Planets in the First House affect your personality strongly. Their characteristics are a keynote of your personality as you express yourself to others.

Second House

The Second House symbolizes what the self has to work with materially: possessions, money, and physical resources. This house also represents your desires and values. Planets in the Second House operate in the field of material needs and also indicate what you value most highly.

Third House

The Third House symbolizes thinking and communication, also traditionally brothers and sisters, writings, and short journeys. Your early environment is also represented by this house, as well as your powers of analysis and discrimination. Planets in this house indicate how you communicate and operate mentally.

Nadir or IC

Indicates the cusp of the Fourth House. As the base of operations of the personality this house is quite important, because without a place to stand emotionally, the personality cannot function.

Fourth House

The Fourth House represents the home environment, family life, and the father, or perhaps the same sex parent. Planets in the Fourth House reflect your family orientation, an ability to dig into the past in order to discover the roots of your being, and how your father (or perhaps your mother) was experienced by you.

Fifth House

The Fifth House represents creativity and self-expression, also offspring, and is also associated with romance and affection. Following the base of operations represented by the fourth, the fifth house represents the arena in which your personal energies can be released into the world. Any area which is stamped by your personality, including the display of affection or any creative endeavors such as your artistic expression, is therefore represented by planets in the Fifth House or the sign on the Fifth House cusp.

Sixth House

The Sixth House represents issues of sickness and health, and service to others, including conditions of daily life, or work. This house also relates to discipleship and mastery, and the overcoming of obstacles in producing the fruit of one's achievements. Planets in this house can manifest as challenges to your well-being, or as indications of a profession of service to others.

Descendant

Indicates the cusp of the Seventh House. The sign on the Descendant often indicates the type of marriage partner you will seek.

Seventh House

The Seventh House represents marriage and partnerships of all kinds, and issues with relating to other people. As the opposite to the First House of personality, the Seventh House describes how you fit into the world of others. Planets in this house often indicate the type of marriage partner you will seek.

Eighth House

The Eighth House symbolizes issues of death and rebirth, sexuality, and transformation. As this house follows the house of relationship, it refers to the fruits of relationship, and these include the power to change based on new understanding made possible when one is no longer acting solely as an individual. Planets in this house are difficult to interpret, but may refer to how sexuality is manifested or to lessons you need to learn in order to grow and change.

Ninth House

The Ninth House represents intuition and the study of religion philosophy, and higher learning. In addition, it represents travel to other countries, and legal matters. This house is interpreted similarly to the ninth sign of Sagittarius, and represents the expansion of horizons, mental, physical and spiritual. Planets in this house may symbolize your philosophical pursuits, or possibilities for travel.

Midheaven or MC

The Midheaven or MC (Medium Coeli) usually, but not always, indicates the Tenth House cusp. Symbolically, the Midheaven represents your individuality, the outward expression of your energies. It can also be referred to as ego identity, and has a strong connection with public life and career, as symbolized by the Tenth House. The Midheaven also represents your aspirations and ideals. Together with the Ascendant, it represents personality in interaction with the world. Natal planets in conjunction with the Midheaven are considered "elevated" and are emphasized in the chart.

Tenth House

The Tenth House symbolizes the public life, authority, career issues, and also represents the mother, or perhaps the opposite-sex parent. As standing opposite the Fourth House, the Tenth House represents how the foundation of the personality is made manifest and concrete in the world. The birth chart is often divided into four seven-year periods, one per quadrant, cycling each twenty-eight years of life, and the Tenth House is reached at age 21, the age of legal adulthood. Planets in the Tenth House will indicate what the energies and challenges are for your career, and also how your mother (or perhaps father) was experienced.

Eleventh House

The Eleventh House symbolizes goals and objectives, also friendships and membership in groups or associations. The work in society represented by the tenth house is released through the individual in the activities associated with the eleventh house. Planets in this house indicate how visions for the future and also group associations and friendships will operate in your life.

Twelfth House

The Twelfth House refers to the unconscious and to things beyond the physical plane. It is traditionally associated with confinement and self-undoing, and has been called the house of karma. Planets in this house indicate functions that are hidden from your conscious personality, and are expressed in terms of psychic faculty or self-sacrifice.