The 360 degree zodiac chart wheel is divided into 12 areas, or houses, each with a set of meanings. Planets which fall in, or occupy, a house have a particular set of meanings. Each planet will express itself in peoples' lives differently, depending on the sign the planet is in, and which the house where it falls within the individual's chart.
Below are some of the meanings for each house of the natal chart.
1st
House. The first house represents your basic
personality, the self you show to the world, your appearance, your general
health, your childhood, and your ego.
2nd
House. The second house represents your
values, your ability and manner of earning income, your sense of self-worth,
and your possessions.
3rd
House. The third house represents your
early education, your mind and how you think, your siblings, how you communicate
and express yourself, your neighbors, and your adventures on short journeys.
4th
House. The fourth house represents your
home, your ancestors, one of your parents (generally the father, but sometimes
the mother), the importance of your home to you, and your childhood experiences.
5th
House. The fifth house represents your
children, your leisure activities, the games and sports you like to play,
how well you do at gambling, your creativity, and your romantic relationships.
6th
House. The 6th house represents your
work, your health, your pets (if you consider your pets as your children,
they also fall under the 5th house above), your diet, your exercise, your
daily routine, and the ways in which you serve others.
7th
House. The 7th house represents partnerships
(including marriage, long-term committed relationships, best friends and
business partners), other people in your life in general, and what you
need from close relationships.
8th
House. The 8th house represents how
you deal with death, your sexuality, your ability to transform yourself,
your understanding of human psychology, taxes, your partners' income, the
occult, and all things hidden.
9th
House. The 9th house represents your
relationship with organized religion, your legal matters, your long-distance
travels, your connection with other countries and citizens of other countries,
publishing, and your higher education.
10th
House. The 10th house represents your
public standing, your reputation, your career, people who have power over
you (your boss, the police, etc.), and the other parent (usually mother,
but sometimes father).
11th
House. The 11th house represents your
connection to the whole of humanity, your goals and ability to form them,
your hopes and dreams, your friends, and groups of which you are a part.
12th
House. The 12th house represents your
need to merge with something greater than yourself, your inner spirituality,
your subconscious, your dreams, your hidden talents, your past lives, and
your karma.
You may have noticed by now that there are some similar meanings among the planets, signs and houses. Even though there are some distinctions, there are similarities among each sign, its ruling planet, and its "natural" house. Astrologer Zipporah Dobyns came up with this "ABC" concept of astrological interpretation. For instance, the sign Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, and since it is the first sign, it is associated with the first house. Therefore, the basic first house issues of ego and self are also reflected in the sign Aries (the "me first" sign) and the planet Mars (expression of personal energy). The essential distinction is that the planet is the energy; its energy is expressed in a particular way through the sign it is in; and that energy and the way it is expressed will be further refined by the house in which it is expressing. Thus, Mars (energy) in Gemini (communication) in the 4th house (home) might reflect an individual who has a home-based business, or entertains a great deal in the home.