Beginner's Guide to the 12 Houses
The 12 houses of astrology represent different fields of experience in which the energies of the signs and planets operate. While the planets show what is happening and the signs show how it's happening, the houses show where it is happening.
Your birth chart is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born. The horizon line splits the chart into upper (day) and lower (night) hemispheres, and the meridian splits it into east (rising) and west (setting). These angles form the skeleton of the 12 houses.
House Systems
There are many ways to calculate houses. The most common is Placidus (based on time), which can result in houses of varying sizes. Another popular system is Whole Sign, where each house contains exactly one zodiac sign. If you're a beginner, Whole Sign is often easier to read.
The 12 Houses Explained
| House | Life Area | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Identity & Self-Image | Appearance, vitality, first impressions, the "mask" you wear. |
| 2nd | Values & Resources | Money, possessions, self-worth, earning potential. |
| 3rd | Communication & Environment | Siblings, neighbors, short trips, writing, speaking, early education. |
| 4th | Home & Roots | Family, ancestry, emotional foundations, private life, the mother figure. |
| 5th | Creativity & Joy | Romance, hobbies, children, play, artistic expression, gambling/risk. |
| 6th | Health & Routine | Daily habits, work environment, service, pets, wellness, illness. |
| 7th | Partnerships | Marriage, business partners, open enemies, contracts, one-on-one bonds. |
| 8th | Transformation | Shared resources, taxes, debt, intimacy, death, rebirth, taboos. |
| 9th | Philosophy & Expansion | Travel, higher education, beliefs, publishing, law, astrology. |
| 10th | Career & Public Image | Reputation, legacy, authority figures, fame, the father figure. |
| 11th | Community & Hopes | Friends, groups, social causes, technology, future goals, humanity. |
| 12th | Subconscious & Endings | Isolation, secrets, dreams, spiritual healing, institutions, hidden enemies. |
How to Read Your Houses
1. Find the Ruler: Look at the sign on the cusp (beginning) of the house. The planet that rules that sign is the "landlord" of that house.
2. Planetary Tenants: Any planets located in a house bring their specific energy to that area of life.
3. Empty Houses? Don't worry! Everyone has empty houses. It just means that area of life isn't a primary karmic focus right now. Look to the ruler of the house to see how that area functions.