So, you thought you knew all there is to know about astrology. Introducing: house placements. In Signs Of The Times, Her Campus lets you know exactly what’s going on—cosmically, obvi. From zodiac signs to horoscopes to house placements, we’re here to give you your astrology fix. Today, astrologer Linda Furiate explains what astrological house placements are, how to find them, and what they can say about you.
Sun signs, Venus signs, Moon signs, oh my! Like the starscape, the world of astrology is vast. And today, it’s about to get even bigger. Let me introduce you to a little something called “house placements.” Trust me, bestie. This is going to change the way you look at your birth chart—and for the better.
Gen Z’s knowledge of astrology, and eagerness to learn about it, is only growing by the day. TikTok is full of astrologers (including our very own Taryn Leigh Bond—hi Taryn!) that give us the lowdown on all things horoscopes, planets, and transits—basically the things that can happen in our lives. However, have you ever wondered how astrologers can interpret these things as they relate to the different areas of your life?
Her Campus talked to one of our cosmic besties, Astrologer Linda Furiate, to learn more about what house placements mean in astrology, how to find them, and what they can say about you.
SO, WHAT ARE HOUSE PLACEMENTS IN ASTROLOGY?
I get it, astrology can be tricky. With so many different names, lingos, and placements, it can be tough to actually know what someone is talking about—cosmically, I mean. Luckily, Furiate can break down astrological houses for us in a way that is comprehensible, and free of all the fluff.
“The birth chart is divided into 12 segments, representing each of the zodiac signs,” Furiate tells Her Campus. “These segments are referred to as ‘houses’ and indicate an area of life: houses are ‘where’ things happen in our lives.”
The 12 houses all represent a different part of our lives—whether that’s our career, personal life, spirituality, and so much more.
In the words of Furiate, “The first house is always the most eastern portion of the chart and holds the ascendant (rising sign). The chart is further divided into quadrants. The 1st quadrant (houses 1-3) is subjective and personal. The 2nd quadrant (houses 4-6) is how we subjectively relate to others. The 3rd quadrant (houses 7-9) is how we objectively relate to others in the outer world. The 4th quadrant (houses 10-12) is how we impact or influence the outer world.”
HOW DO I FIND MY HOUSE PLACEMENTS IN MY BIRTH CHART?
Your house placements are calculated by identifying your exact time of birth. There are many tools online that can be used to find your house placements, but we recommend using a reliable site like CafeAstrology. From there, you can see the full breakdown of your house placements, and how they can impact you personally.
SOUNDS GOOD. WHAT DOES EACH HOUSE MEAN?
Like Furiate said, house placements cover the different aspects of your life. Looking for a guide? Here’s the abridged version of what house placements mean in terms of your astrological chart, according to an astrologer.
FIRST HOUSE:
Your first house represents all things, well, you. It’s the ruler of the physical body, what we look like, what makes us special, and how we express our identity. Your rising sign is found in this house, which is how you present to the outside world (but, more on that next Signs Of The Times…).
Think of your first house as your “personal brand.” It can be used to identify your aesthetic, and can even explain some of the beauty and fashion trends you’re drawn to: don’t be afraid to dress like your zodiac sign, you might find a brand new style!
This house is ruled by the Fire sign Aries—which represents fearlessness and identity.
SECOND HOUSE:
The first house rules your outward identity, but your second house presents your inward identity: what we value, our possessions and what we own, our finances, and the talents that allow us to earn money and feel worthwhile. Your second house can provide greater insight into your values, both materially and spiritually.
Look to this placement to identify your spending habits and self-esteem patterns. Believe it or not, these things can relate to each other more than you thought possible.
This house is ruled by the Earth sign Taurus—which represents groundedness and materialism
THIRD HOUSE:
The third house is all about communication (hello, Mercury sign!). It represents our communication style, how we process information, our siblings and early childhood classmates (and their impact on our communication), our early learning environment, and our education.
You can look to your third house for insight as to how aspects of your life have influenced your communication style. The third house can also explain your relationship with your immediate environment and community.
This house is ruled by the Air sign Gemini—which represents intellect and communication.
FOURTH HOUSE:
Your fourth house represents home. Meaning, it can provide insight into the foundation of our life, mother’s womb, family, our heritage, lineage and legacy, ancestry, and our overall home life.
This placement can be used to interpret your roots and how you may have grown up. Typically tied to the environment you grew up in, this house can provide a deeper insight into how your home life may have impacted you throughout your life.
This house is ruled by the Water sign Cancer—which represents nurture and feeling.
FIFTH HOUSE:
The fifth house encompasses all things creativity, joy, pleasure, and even what appeals to your inner child. Planets in this placement can provide a deeper dive into the things that make a person happy, and what they may have been like as a child.
The fifth house can also tell you more about your love life: what you find romantic, and how your love life may play out.
This house is ruled by the Fire sign Leo—which represents attention and passion.
SIXTH HOUSE:
Our sixth house can provide an explanation of our health and routine. It can also be used to interpret our habits as they relate to our daily responsibilities and rituals that allow us to be productive.
In terms of work, the sixth house can explain our habits and our job—basically, where we strive for perfection in our lives.
This house is ruled by the Earth sign Virgo—which represents realism and routine.
SEVENTH HOUSE:
Your seventh house can be used to interpret all things partnerships. Whether that’s a work partnership, marriage, or a platonic bond, the seventh house encompasses how we may commit to another person.
This placement also represents contracts and compromise. Meaning: the seventh house can show how we may choose to comprise with others, and what we look for in terms of commitment.
This house is ruled by the Air sign Libra—which represents balance and harmony.
EIGHTH HOUSE:
Don’t freak out, but the eight-house typically represents death. And while this does mean literal death, it is also the house of transformation—of shedding old skin in favor of rebirth.
The eighth house also encompasses sex, our fears, how we share our resources and money with others, our intimacy with others, our investments, or our inheritances. Your eighth house can be used to interpret your attitudes toward these things…it’s not as scary as it sounds!
This house is ruled by the Water sign Scorpio—which represents sexuality and transformation.
NINTH HOUSE:
The ninth house represents higher learning: our wisdom, our advanced education, foreign travel, how we like to explore the world around us, and how we seek adventure to broaden our awareness.
This placement can explain your attitudes toward new ideas and personal philosophies. It also encompasses subjects like gambling, morality, and luck.
This house is ruled by the Fire sign Sagittarius—which represents adventure and optimism.
TENTH HOUSE:
Your tenth house governs all things relating to your career: your ambitions, your outer world, fame, and how we apply our wisdom to our careers. This placement can provide insight into our prospective career path, and how your talents and experiences can aid in your occupation.
The tenth house is also how someone wants to be seen in the world: successes in career, promotions, and all that jazz.
This house is ruled by the Earth sign Capricorn—representing ambition and determination.
ELEVENTH HOUSE:
Community is one of the main things that the eleventh house represents. It is associated with the groups we belong to, our hopes and desires that may be fulfilled through like-minded people, our friendships, or how we define our friendships.
This house also represents your personal goals, your inner purpose, and what we look for in an overall community, friendship, or environment.
This house is ruled by the Air sign Aquarius—which represents innovation and humanity.
TWELFTH HOUSE:
The twelfth house uncovers all things spirituality, inner-self, dreams, your subconscious, and self-undoing. As the final house, this can be used to interpret things related to old age, surrender, and the afterlife.
This house also rules where we go to escape the world or reality, hidden places, places of confinement. In the words of Furiate, “It is our spiritual den and faraway retreat from the world that allows us to hit the reset button on life—it is where we remember the core of our existence to be reborn again into a healthier spiritual version of ourselves.”
This house is ruled by the Water sign Pisces—which represents creativity and spirituality.