The Twelve Houses – the map of the meaning of the stars

While the zodiac signs tell us how energy moves, the twelve houses in astrology reveal where that energy plays out in our lives. If the signs are the actors, the houses are the stages on which the play unfolds. Each house represents a different area of life—from identity, family, and love to career, spirituality, and legacy. Together, they form a sacred wheel that is fixed at the time of our birth mapping the unfolding of our personal experience across time.

The concept of the houses emerged with horoscopic astrology—a tradition born from ancient Babylonian and Hellenistic thought, where astrologers began to cast charts based on the exact time and place of one’s first breath. This moment births the Ascendant, or rising sign, which marks the cusp of the 1st house and sets the entire house system for you. 

Unlike the zodiac signs, which follow the fixed path of the Sun through the year, the houses shift with every hour of the day, making them highly personal and dynamic. They are rooted in the rotation of the Earth itself—anchored not in the sky, but in our lived experience. 

Together, the twelve houses offer us a mirror—one that reflects our soul’s journey through all aspects of life. When we learn to read this map, we can truly start to understand our souls secrets and desires. To give you an overview of the meaning of each house, I have put together some information for you.

Discover the 12 Astrological Houses

The astrological houses are one of the most essential keys to understanding your personal birth chart. Each house represents a specific area of life—from identity and relationships to career, spirituality, and beyond. While the zodiac signs describe how energy flows, the houses reveal where in your life that energy manifests. Rooted in the rich traditions of Hellenistic astrology, these twelve divisions of the chart form the foundational structure for interpreting your unique cosmic blueprint.

In these explanations, you’ll find insights drawn from years of experience in astrological practice and many individual readings. The meanings of the houses are brought to life not only through modern understanding, but also through the ancient symbolism and mythological wisdom that shaped early astrology. Begin your journey here, and discover the meanings of the 12 houses in astrology here:

The 1st House – The House of the Self and the Ego

The first house in astrology stands for the self, the character and the ego of a person. It shows our identity and manifestation into the world. This house is the first one in the birth chart and everything starts from here. The first house in astrology is the house of the ascendant. The ascendant is the zodiac sign rising at the eastern horizon at the birth time of the nascent. It shows the intersection of the Eastern horizon and the ecliptic. Through the movement of the earth that sign changes every 2 hours. This is basically where your horoscope starts. So this is the position that you see life from. It is your point of view and shapes your life in all areas. Apart from that, the first house or ascendant is what other people see when they look at us and interact with us. No matter where the sun is placed in your birth chart, the ascendant is how other people perceive us. Therefore it can be said that the first house stands for our public persona. As the first house is our manifestation in the material world, it represents the body, your look and oftentimes the style of a person. 

The first house is why it is hard to guess zodiac signs. What the outside sees often represents this first house. So the Zodiac is always mixed with the ascendants. If there are planets in other houses of the horoscope that are attributed very much or there are astrological houses that are full of planets, we might also feel this energy when looking at a person. However, the first house/ascendant will always be visible to the outside. 

The energy of an Aries ascendant is very different from a pisces ascendant. Just try to guess the ascendants (and therefore first house) of people and you will see. The first house is linked with the zodiac sign of Aries and the planet Mars. In Greek mythology the God Ares is connected to the planet Mars (Mars is the Roman God of War and a translation of the God Ares). Ares (or Mars) stands for initiative, aggression, the ego and our male energy, which indicates that the first house is also talking about the energy level we are operating on.

The 2nd House – The House of Self-Worth and Personal Resources

The second house in astrology stands for the values we hold, the material world we interact with, and the resources we gather. While the first house is all about who we are, the second house is about what we have and what we believe we’re worth. It follows the identity formed in the 1st house and brings that energy into the physical, tangible realm. It shows our connection to the world through ownership, security, and personal value. This house is where our self-worth meets the material world—it reflects how we value ourselves and what we believe we deserve.

The second house governs our personal finances, possessions, and the resources we earn or inherit through our own effort. It’s not only about wealth, but also about how safe and supported we feel by what we have. Food, shelter, money, clothing, and even the quality of the things we surround ourselves with are found here. Interestingly, this house also touches on themes like food intake, our relationship with our body, and even physical features such as the teeth—our first tools of consumption and survival. 

People with strong second house placements often have a clear understanding of their needs and know how to provide for themselves. This house also reflects our sense of self-esteem. A well-aspected second house can indicate someone who values their time and energy, while challenging aspects might show issues around self-worth, scarcity, or over-attachment to material things.

The second house is traditionally associated with the zodiac sign Taurus and ruled by the planet Venus. In Greek mythology, Venus is linked to the goddess Aphrodite, who embodies beauty, attraction, sensuality, and the pleasure of receiving. This shows us that the second house isn’t just about survival—it’s about comfort, pleasure, and abundance. Here, the physical and emotional worlds blend, teaching us to cultivate value, not just in what we own, but in who we are.

The 3rd House – The House of Communication, Skills and the immediate Environment

The 3rd house is associated with intellect and communication, but also with our immediate environment. This house shows how we think and express ourselves and bring out what we have to say. It governs our speech as well as our ability to convince others, but also our practical skills in general that we use on a daily basis. Nowadays, the house is often associated with social media, as it is another form of communication. 

Basically, we can say that the self-confidence and value of the 2nd house finds its expression here. Where the second house represents our resources and skills, the third house is where we put these skills into action. As the third house also represents our personal, close environment. Neighbours and classmates are situated in this house, as well as our siblings. This house íncludes everything and everyone that we see on a day to day basis. The chit-chat in the cafeteria, the homework session or the telephone conversation with our best friend – they are all here. 

As an interesting fact – the North Node was in Gemini during the Corona-Pandemic 2020/2021. In this time all of us were forced to concentrate on our immediate environment and concentrate on matters of the 3rd house. This of course does not mean that you will be locked down with a North Node in Gemini. But it might make you concentrate more on the immediate surroundings than on great visions and the far wide world. 

The 3rd house is linked to the zodiac sign of Gemini and the planet Mercury. In Greek Mythology the God Hermes is connected to the planet Mercury (Mercury is the Roman God and a translation of the God Hermes). Hermes stood out among the Gods for his cleverness and acted as a messenger between them. He signified commerce, trade, good fortune, intelligence and eloquence.

The 4th House – The House of your Roots and your Emotional Basis

The 4th house is the house of the family, the home and the mother. This house also stands for the emotional base of a person and the anchor of the life we are born into. Therefore, we also find everything we emotionally inherited from our ancestors in terms of inherited Karma. It shows the emotional ties of the person into the family tree. 

The fourth house is here where we also see the home and the feeling of being at home. Mostly, the fourth house governs the youth of a person and the family of origin, while the tenth house on the opposite of the birth chart represents the family we create for ourselves. As it is connected to the home, this house represents property and place of living. The sign in which the house falls into can tell us more about the feel of the family and home of a person. Also old family Traumas that are passed down in the lineage are to be found in this house. The fourth house is linked to the zodiac sign of Cancer and the Moon.

In Greek mythology the Goddess Selene is connected to the Moon as she is often described as the personification of the Moon ( Luna is the Roman Goddess and a translation of the Goddess Selene). Selene represents female divinity, unconditional love, care, motherhood and our connectedness to the universe. But if we look a bit deeper into it, there are actually 3 goddesses, a wise trinity representing the Moon energy in Greek mythology. Apart from the goddess Selene, the Goddess Artemis and Heceta represent another aspect. Each one of them personifies an aspect of the divine female energy of the Moon – the maiden, the mother and the wise, magical women. Artemis protects the maiden in her youth but also represents childbirth, the connection to nature and is considered the Goddess of hunting. Usually she is displayed as a maiden with a bow and arrow. The Goddess Hecate is usually depicted with a pair of torches and stands for the connection to the invisible, intuitive realm including ghosts, magic and divine knowledge.

Each of the aspects represented by the divine lunar trinity also falls into the fourth house, where our emotional ground lies and the invisible parts of our inner self can be found.

The 5th House – The House of Joy, Luck and Love

The 5th house, which is associated with Leo, governs not only creativity but also playfulness, joy, and children. It is the house of our heart and joy and shows creativity, children, fun and also romance with the enjoyment of sexual activity and pleasure. It is about creation and authentic self-expression of our feelings and character. This house also represents personal recognition—Leo individuals seek admiration and appreciation for their efforts, much like performers who thrive on the applause of an audience. Therefore, this house gives a home to art, music and poetry. It can be seen as the “stage” of our lives, for it is also where we choose to show ourselves to the world with our creations and projects. Many astrologers also place movies and cinema in the map of meanings of this house. It is where we allow ourselves to experience life’s pleasures without reservation, embracing passion and the pursuit of happiness. 

The energy of this house is bright and full of inspiration. Ideas flow here and new things can be brought into the world in terms of our personal projects and endeavors of creation from the heart. This house is also related to speculative money or money that comes from invisible sources, e.g. stocks or crypto currencies. According to Kapiel Raaj from KRS Astrology the 5th house also represents the desires of your partner or spouse, as well as the spiritual beliefs of your father. The assets of your family, but more in the manner of heritage and lineage, are also placed here. 

Your 5th house can tell you a lot about your lineage, in this life or even a past life. The fifth house is linked to the zodiac sign of Leo, represented by the Sun. In Greek Mythology the God Helios is connected to the Sun ( Sol is the Roman God and a translation of the God Helios). The God Helios was characterized by his ability to see things about everyone. He brought things to light by shining his natural halo or crown. Helios is also associated with routine, as he (the Sun) is known for the divine rhythm of day and night. We can say that the 5th house is where you shine your light and others will see you with your creations and the things you enjoy in life.

The 6th House – The House of Health, Rountines and Service

The 6th house in astrology is the house of purity, judgement, procession, cleanliness and health. It shows our routines, daily work, colleagues and a general sense order in our life. Here we find our day-to-day life and our focus on living a healthy life. It also gives us an idea of what routine a person would like to have and how they go about creating those. In this regard it is also linked to work and daily chores and also the way we balance this with our wellbeing. 

The 6th house is linked to the zodiac sign of Virgo and the planet Mercury. In Greek Mythology the God Hermes is connected to Mercury (Mercury is the Roman God and a translation of the Greek God Hermes). Hermes was the Greek god of communication, trade, travel, and boundaries. He is the son of Zeus and Maia, and serves as the messenger of the gods. Hermes is associated with intelligence, adaptability, and service, often depicted wearing winged sandals that symbolize his speed and ability to move freely between worlds. In mythology, he is also the guide of souls to the underworld, bridging the material and spiritual realms. His resourcefulness and wit make him a patron of all those who work with precision and skill. As the ruler of Virgo and the 6th house in astrology, Hermes embodies the themes of organization, routine, and practical service, highlighting the importance of efficiency, dedication, and intellectual sharpness in everyday life. 

We can say that the 6th house represents our days and being in the moment, whereas the 12th house on the opposite represents our sleep and nights. People with strong sixth house energy tend to focus on the details in life and can also be rather picky. Along with that there can be a tendency to judge or even be judgemental. My favorite example of 6th house archetype energy is a closet that is sorted by colours or a well-wrapped gift (as they are the ones never to forget a birthday). They take great care about nutrition and creating routines that serve them. Therefore, we can say that this house is connected to our tendencies to optimize our time and bodies. 

People with a lot of energy in the 6th house, work fast and are well organized. Often you find people that become very successful, but only through hard work. Doing what you have to do, day after day, is the recipe for success! And 6th house success hits differently. It is solid and based on pure skill, as the hard work that the 6th house demands can yield great results. The 6th house is also associated with service, so you may see people in administrative positions, as well as waiters and cleaning staff, but also teachers, professors and scientists here.

The 7th House – The House of Contracts, Relationships and Long-term Commitments  

The 7th house in astrology is the house of marriage, business partners and fame with the masses. It generally represents other people and shows us how we behave in one-on-one relationships. People with a lot of 7th house energy tend to seek partnership in all areas of life. Depending on the sign that the house is placed in, this energy plays out in the different partnerships. The 7th house talks about long-term partnerships, so it is here where our ability to commit in partnerships can be interpreted from. 

It is the 7th house we look to to understand the energy of the marriage partner and the marriage as a whole. In order to commit to partnerships, rules and compromises are necessary, therefore the house also represents legal bindings and contracts, as well as our ability and tone in negotiations. The ultimate goal of the 7th house is a win-win situation. Through the long-term focus of this house we see the responsibilities we take on in our closest relationships. The 7th house is linked to the zodiac sign Libra and the planet Venus. In Greek Mythology the Goddess Aphrodite is connected to the planet Venus (Venus is the Roman Goddess and a translation of the Goddess Aphrodite). In the 7th house we find Aphrodite’s qualities of charm, harmony, love and partnership. However, there are numerous sources that indicate another representation of the zodiac sign of Libra – the Titan-Goddess Themis. The Goddess Themis stands for order, religion, consultation and balance. She is depicted holding a scale in her hand, giving us indication that she seeks to weigh and bring fairness and justice. Her energy is much more aloof that that of Aphrodite, which fits to the long-term partnership and marriage interpretation of the 7th house.

The seventh house, which is associated with Libra, governs partnerships, both romantic and professional. It is the house of marriage, legal agreements, and open enemies—revealing how we connect with others on a deep and meaningful level. This house also speaks to our ability to compromise, collaborate, and form alliances that bring harmony into our lives. While the first house represents the self, the seventh house is its mirror, emphasizing the importance of relationships in shaping our identity.

The 8th House – The House of Boundaries, Intimacy and Transformation

The 8th house in astrology represents sex, passion, intimacy, the occult, resources of other people, our unconscious limitations and emotions as well as death and transformation. It is said that while the 2nd house of Taurus focuses on everything above the ground, the 8th house shows everything that is beneath the surface and ground. In this regard, also oil and other natural resources are seen from this house. 

The general feel of this house is about letting go, receiving, and opening up to others, as well as dealing with our vulnerabilities that we try to hide from the world around us. It is here that we find deep-seated fears and insecurities that come from other parts of our birth charts, possibly even from past lives. The 8th house is the house of death and transformation, which can be described as letting go and letting die, as well as rising from the ashes and rebirth. This includes our traumas and our way to deal with them and transform ourselves through the process. 

In the 8th house, we can transform our feelings through sex, intimacy, or the occult into something that elevates us onto the next level of consciousness. This is also the location in the birth chart where we connect to others deeply and allow ourselves to receive. Shared resources, emotional bonds, and energetic merging all find their home here. It is a house that asks for surrender in order to find true empowerment.

The 8th house is linked to the zodiac sign Scorpio and the planet Pluto. In Greek mythology, the god Hades is connected to the planet Pluto (Pluto is the Roman God and a translation of the god Hades). Hades is the god of the underworld and also of riches. Each person coming through the river Styx to the underworld needed two gold coins to enter. We can see a connection, as the 8th house also stands for debt and inheritances. Hades was the ruler of the underworld, but it is hard to trace defiant characteristics to him.

The 9th House – The House of Wisdom, Religion and your Path in Life

The 9th house in astrology represents our life path, dreams and visions that we follow. It is the house of higher knowledge, education and foreign countries. Jupiter, the ruler of the 9th house, is strongly associated with expansion and going beyond that which is already known. 

With the energy of the 9th house we are able to expand from the life we are born into and embark on the journey we call life. Our aspirations may be different, also based on which planets are situated here and which sign the house falls into. In this regard, the 9th house shows our life after childhood and teenage years and is especially relevant from 30 years of age onwards. In this part of the chart we also see the belief system and values of ourselves, for it also represents ideologies and religion. 

The 9th house is linked to the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter. In Greek Mythology the God Zeus is connected to the planet Jupiter (Jupiter is the Roman God and a translation of the God Zeus). Zeus was the king of the Gods and above him was only the divine fate. However, Zeus managed to escape and rescue some of his brothers and sisters from his father Chronos who had eaten them in an attempt to destroy them before his children would ever be more powerful than Chronos himself. We might therefore interpret that the 9th house is where we take our fate into our own hands and also where we choose our own path, which might differ from the one our family or lineage suggests to us. Zeus became the ruler of the heavens and had to face a number of challenges, which prove his power and expand his reign. He was also known for changing his appearance to charm or even manipulate women. In regards to the 9th house we can interpret that it is the house of expansion and adaptability.

The 10th House – The House of Career, Status and your Mission

The 10th house in astrology shows our life path in terms of career and social status. It brings to life the vision for our life from the 9th house. It is the House of the ladder we must climb to reach our goals. This house also shows how we go about improving our life and social status by putting in the necessary work and commitment. It is also here where we see our work environment and the promotions we get in our work. 

This house also represents things that require our signature or long-term contracts, like our work contract, but also our marriage certificate and the documents to buy property. Traditionally, it is said that this house holds the reputation of our father and a strong 10th house shows that we profit from this reputation and standing in society. But also your own reputation and authority and your whole family’s reside here. Overarching, this house is the house of our career. For women, I have recognized that there are differences in the interpretation. If the women aims to achieve a career, the meaning does not change. If in turn the women wants to be a wife and stay at home, there are two different interpretations, depending on which sources you use. 

On the one hand, the 10th house can stand for the career of her husband, who’s career she supports and therefore takes part in it through her actions for the husband. On the other hand, I believe it can stand for her own achievements on behalf of the family. We could say the house could stand for her aiming to be the “manager” of the family. Especially, if the house is placed in a feminine sign or holds feminine planets like the moon or venus, or the asteroid Juno is here, this option becomes more likely. The 10th house is linked to the zodiac sign of Capricorn and the planet Saturn. In Greek Mythology the Titan-God Cronus is connected to the planet Saturn (Saturn is the Roman God and a translation of the Titan Cronus). Cronus was the first of the Titans and the God of Time. He was known to be hard and cold. He took power from his father Uranus. Cronus ate his children so they would never become stronger than him, hoping to conserve his powerful position in the universe. Cronus stands for the concept of time and the right timing. This energy suggests that everything has its own time and place to be fulfilled and every destiny is tied into the grid of time and space. Cronus urges us to be patient and understand that there are rules. 

We cannot get anything without having worked for it. Therefore, the 10th house also stands for taking one step at a time and progressing in due time. Steady and hard work will pay off in the end.

The 11th House – The House of Networks, Community and Gains

The 11th house in astrology represents our network circle, our friends and people who go after the same vision as we do. From here we can see how we behave in groups and which groups we are most likely to join. Therefore, it can also represent organisations from the perspective of seeing them as a hyper-organism, in which many work together for the same purpose. It is the house of Aquarius and therefore linked to the community and society as a whole. This house speaks of the connections we have in terms of our groups of companions and allies, but apart from that we can also see our personal gains here. Especially sudden gains and profits, e.g. from investments in stocks and currencies, are associated with this house. We could interpret that this is because we are engaging in some sort of group activity, namely investing with many others and then gaining our rewards from that. Also the gains and profits which you create through networking are placed here.

Therefore, people who have a strong 11th house (planetary placements or aspects) can be the ones with a large circle of friends and acquaintances or people who identify through their activity in or for a group or organisation. I have seen, for example, many people with the Sun here who aim for leadership of different groups—be it political movements, institutions, or their own company. The 11th house also represents our long-term hopes and dreams, as it shows where we envision our contributions to the collective. It invites us to look beyond the personal and towards a shared vision of progress.

The 11th house is linked to the zodiac sign of Aquarius and the planet Uranus. In Greek mythology, the Titan-God Uranus is connected to the planet Uranus (the name is the same in Roman mythology). Uranus was the creator of the universe and all things being, from his own divine essence. We can therefore say he created something from himself. He found fertile ground on the Earth and nourished it to create the Gods and mankind. In the 11th house we find a miniature of mankind. It is the house of community and service, but also of innovation for progress.

The 12th House – The House of the Divine, Spirituality and Isolation

The 12th house in astrology stands for spirituality, isolation, the dreamworld as well as the connection to the universe and to God. It is the house of the invisible and of the divine. 

The 12th house points to the subconscious and those things about ourselves that are unseen. It is therefore also related to soulmates that we have in this life and hides the secrets that lead us to them. The connection of this house with isolation and being alone also leads to this house being connected to institutions that separate people from their normal lives such as hospitals, asylums, monasteries and rehabilitation centers (and as I have recognized also ships at sea). Some say that the 12th house entails the ways of how we imprison ourselves in terms of self-sabotage and karmic blockages. Therefore there can also be a certain dark gloom over the 12th house for many. However, on the bright side this house connects us to our own spirituality and the divine, dreamlike spheres of life. 

In opposition to the 6th house, the 12th house speaks of our sleep, the dream realm and the night. As it stands for sleep, a maleficent planetary placement like Saturn here, can lead to nightmares or insomnia. The 12th house is linked to the zodiac sign of Pisces and the planet Neptune. In Greek Mythology the God Poseidon is connected to the planet Neptune (Neptune is the name in Roman Mythology). 

Neptune was known for his powers over the water, even though he was also associated with earthquakes and storms. Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and Hades and a son of Chronos (in Roman Mythology Saturn). Whereas Zeus is know to carry a mostly beneficial energy and Hades for a maleficent energy, Poseidon’s energy (like Mercury) can be directed both ways. In Astrology we associate Neptune with a dreamy energy, as well as nightmares. It can represent the feeling of being on cloud 9, as well as a foggy, feeling of being drunk energy. 

Wherever Neptune is in our horoscope, there seems to be some kind of fog in that house that we have to walk through. In the 12th house we find the realm of the heavens and everything we cannot see, the energy of our 12th house is transferred into our horoscope in that regard.