The 12 Houses in Astrology Explained

Houses divide the sky into twelve sectors based on the horizon and meridian at your birth moment, each representing an area of life. Signs say how, planets say what, and houses say where. Because they rotate once a day, you need an accurate birth time and place.

House 1: Self

Appearance, first impressions and approach to life. It begins at the Ascendant.

House 2: Resources

Money, possessions, earning power and self-worth.

House 3: Communication

Learning, language, siblings, neighbours and short trips.

House 4: Home

Family, roots and your emotional foundation. It begins at the IC.

House 5: Creativity

Romance, play, hobbies, children and self-expression.

House 6: Work & health

Daily routines, workplace, health habits and service.

House 7: Partnership

Marriage, business partners, contracts and one-to-one relationships. It begins at the Descendant.

House 8: Intimacy

Shared resources, inheritance, sexuality and transformation.

House 9: Exploration

Higher education, philosophy, religion, travel abroad.

House 10: Career

Status, vocation and public reputation. It begins at the Midheaven (MC).

House 11: Community

Friends, groups, networks and hopes for the future.

House 12: The unseen

Solitude, hidden strengths, healing and the subconscious.

House systems

There are several ways to divide the houses. We use Placidus, the most widely used system, switching to Porphyry above 66° latitude where Placidus cannot be computed.