There Are 12 Houses in Astrology — Here's What Each of Them Represents

Sometimes called the House of Self, the first house starts at the very beginning: who you are, your self-image, and how you present yourself to others. It's one of the most foundational houses to who you are, and the sign that falls within this house is also your ascendant sign. Some astrologers say your first house can even determine your physical appearance.

The second house is all about physical, tangible things. It's often referred to as the house that governs money, finances, and material goods, but it's also the house that gives you your concept of value, both for material things and immaterial ideas like self-worth. This house is linked to stability, value, and wealth.

The third house is all about communication, from talking and texting to thinking and even the ways we relate with our local community, which can include travel and transportation. If you've ever heard about things going awry during Mercury in retrograde, that's because Mercury rules this house.

Visually, the fourth house is situated at the bottom of the wheel, so it makes sense that it's linked to foundations, roots, and home. It can tell you both about the kind of physical environment and immaterial qualities that signify home for you. It's often linked to motherhood, feeling secure, how we're cared for, and how we care for others.

This house is a big one, as it determines your sun sign, and it's all about self-expression, creative energy, romance, and pleasure. It's also linked to children — a combination that makes more sense when you think about the creative energy and joy you see in kids.

The sixth house rules over health, wellness, organisation, and daily routine, so it makes sense that it's ruled by practical Virgo. This house is all about structure.

As we move from the personal houses to the interpersonal houses, the seventh house is a strong start, as it's all about relationships. It covers everything from our romantic partners to business deals, so it's wise to be wary of contracts when planets are moving through this house.

The eighth house has a reputation for being mysterious in terms of what it represents astrologically, but what we do know is that it's connected to natural cycles of life, death, transformation, and rebirth. As it's ruled by Scorpio and Pluto (which is still considered a planet in astrology), it has a reputation for being a little dark.

While the eighth house relates to transformation, the ninth is known for growth. A highly philosophical house, it represents how we take risks and challenge ourselves, so it makes sense that it's linked to travel and higher education.

Also known as your Midheaven, the 10th house is symbolically located at the top of the zodiac wheel. As the most visible and public area of the zodiac, it relates to your public image, social standing, and career, so it's a great house to dive into with an astrologer if you're seeking guidance about your career path.

As we move outward on the chart, this house focuses on wider relationships, such as those to your community and organised groups. This house rules friendship as well as innovation — which sounds like a strange combination until you realise it's ruled by quirky Aquarius. The idea of this house is that it represents our collective work as a community and aspirations for a better future.

The last house on the zodiac wheel, this house is responsible for some seriously heavy stuff. It's linked to nebulous rather than physical concepts, like the subconscious and the imagination, plus paranormal energy. But no need to think of it as spooky — remember that it's ruled by the sensitive and intuitive Pisces, which makes it a great house for introspection.