The planets, Zodiac signs (constellations) and Astrological Houses all work together to influence our lives.

The constellations of the Zodiac are the “background noise” in our lives, constantly active but not always obvious. The planets, as “Rulers”, are the inescapable forces that ebb, flow, drive and confound us. The houses show us which areas of our lives are most affected as the rulers enter and exit the different domains.

The Sun shines, the Moon reflects. Mercury is genius, Venus is beautiful, Mars energizes, Jupiter, the King, demands, Saturn achieves, Uranus opposes, Neptune serves and Pluto transforms.

Ancient astrologers mapped the sky into 12 sections (“houses”). As the constellations and planets move across the heavens, they pass through the Zodiac’s houses and charge them with energy. This influence is strongest when a planet enters the house it rules.

One phenomenon that ancient astrologers had difficulty explaining was when some planets “reversed” course and appeared to move “backward”. Planets move from West to East most of the time. However, planets will occasionally appear to reverse direction for a short time, and move from East to West. This phenomenon is known as Retrograde Motion.

Some planets take many years to transit a sign. The Sun takes 365 days and the Moon 29 days to cover the Zodiac.

The First House governs how others see you. It’s all about your identity: personality traits, physical characteristics, general health, appearance and mannerisms, and your personal tastes.
It’s ruling planet is Mars, and ruling sign Aries.

The Second House rules your possessions, salary, your sense of self-worth and the “value” that you place on your time. This house deals with your finances, personal resources, earning capacity and everything you own. All of these things are bound up with your self-esteem. The ruling planet is Venus, and ruling sign Taurus.

The Third House rules communication – how you learn and process information. Here is where you do your thinking, and communicating and how you express yourself. This influences your views of the world at large and your daily environment, your siblings and your neighbors. The ruling planet is Mercury, and ruling sign Gemini.

The Fourth House rules your home “where it all hangs out”. This is where you feel free to be yourself; and where you can escape the world outside when life gets complicated. This is your domestic life – your family. Considered the first “critical degree” – the nurturing parent and where you crawl between the sheets. The ruling planet is the Moon, and ruling sign Cancer.

The Fifth House, governing creativity, reveals how we find pleasure as well as how we express ourselves. This house covers areas of romance, risks (gambling), investments, socializing, leisure activities and pregnancy. Its ruling planet is the mighty Sun, and ruling sign Leo.

The Sixth House is about responsibilities and obligations, and deals with employment, careers, working relationships. service to others and specific health issues. The ruling planet is Mercury, and ruling sign Virgo.

The Seventh House governs marriage, legal affairs, business associates, partnerships of all kinds and legal contracts. The ruling planet is Venus, and ruling sign Libra.

The Eighth House is about transformation, change, spiritual issues, death, sexual intimacy and sharing. The ruling planets are Mars and mystifying Pluto, and the ruling sign dark Scorpio.

The Ninth House rules the intellect, higher education, travel, politics, medicine and social issues. The ruling planet is expansive Jupiter, and ruling sign Sagittarius.

The Tenth House rules career, ambition, dreams, goals and destiny. Located opposite the fourth house (home), consider this the neighborhood outside. Ruling the interactions with those in authority (government, boss, father), it governs achievement and your public image and social standing. The ruling sign is Capricorn, and ruling planet Saturn.

The Eleventh House rules friendships, social activities, dreams and aspirations, and is known as the house of idealism. The ruling planet is Uranus, and ruling sign Aquarius.

The Twelfth House is the abode of the subconscious and of secrets and limitations. A house of mysteries, it is often call the the house of worries, sorrows and fears. This house rules the unconscious and dreams, and all institutions. Its ruling planets are Neptune and Jupiter, and ruling sign Pisces.

Back to the top of the Astrological Houses.