Learn Astrology: The 12 Houses

This house governs the self and the physical body. The first house on the astrological wheel represents the persona portrayed to the world. Whichever planet or sign rules this house is not only what people see, but also how an indivdual views his or herself. Physical traits depend upon the ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house. Aries and the planet Mars rule the first astrological house. It determines how an individual pursues what he or she wants--it represents desire and motivation. This house is ruled by the element fire, and it is an angular house, characterized by its being dynamic, pioneering, and indicating a personal call to action.

2nd House

This house rules finances--land and money. The second house on the astrological wheel represents a person's personal possessions and what he or she views as attractive--how important physical appearance is to an individual. Whichever planet or sign rules this house determines how one acquires money and what possessions or people they will pursue and covet. It rules jewelry, cosmetics, banks, places where money is stored and property without homes on it--land. Taurus and the planet Venus rule the second house. It indicates how a individual makes money and where he or she finds it. The second house also represents the sixth-born child. This house is ruled by the earth element, and it is a succedent house, which lends an emotional and persevering energy.

3rd House

This house governs nuclear friends, family and neighbors. The third house on the astrological wheel represents an individuals ability and need to experience connectedness and interpersonal communication. It rules all communication and paperwork. It also rules short-distance trips, errands, lower education and elementary schools. Cousins, younger males and siblings also fall under third house rule. Gemini and the planet Mercury rule the third astrological house. It denotes how an individual interacts with people and his or her thought patterns, learning abilities and overal communication skills. This house is ruled by the air element, and it is a cadent house, characterized by a buzzing adaptable energy able to bring projects to completion.

4th House

This house rules the home, the mother and the end of life. The fourth house on the astrological wheel represents a person's home environment and the mother-child relationship. It also rules the situation at the end of life--not the actual death. Fourth house deals with real property and real estate issues as well. Cancer and the Moon rule here. The ruling sign and particular planets found in this house determines the kind of activity surrounding the domestic environment, the actual physical home and the relationship with the mother or primary early-childhood caregiver--the nurturer. The fourth house also represents the first-born child. This house is ruled by the water element, and it is an angular house, which is action-oriented, indicating how a person acquires his or her basic needs, emotional fulfillment and safety.

5th House

This house governs romance, entertainment and children. The fifth house on the astrological wheel describes a person's preferred entertainment and the type of romantic partners--not marriage partner-- he or she chooses and where he or she will meet potential lovers. Fifth house shows where people spend most of their leisure time. This house also rules children--the ability to reproduce and the relationship with children. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house influence both romance and children. Leo and the Sun rule the fifth astrological house. This house is ruled by the fire element, and is a succedent house, which lends an emotional and persevering energy.

6th House

This house rules health matters. It also rules work and service, the military and soldiers, medical personnel and patients. The sixth house on the astrological wheel indicates health issues and how a person serves in a working capacity. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house denote ailments and effective treatments. The sixth house also represents the second-born child and household pets. Virgo and the planet Mercury rule here. Sixth house determines a person's health problems, work ethic and how he or she serves the people. This house is ruled by the earth element, and is a cadent house, characterized by a buzzing adaptable energy able to bring projects to completion.

7th House

This house governs the spouse, the marriage, the business relationship, lower courts and open known enemies. The seventh house on the astrological wheel determines district court activity and what type of person an individual marries. This house also rules judges, lawyers and business associates. The ruler of this house and the particular planets found here points to the basis and outcome of lower-court lawsuits and the chosen field of joint business ventures. Libra and the planet Venus rules the seveth astrological house. If more than one marriage occurs, often the seventh house represents the first marriage partner. This house is ruled by the air element, and is an angular house, indicating an action-oriented dynamic energy used to initiate close personal relationships.

8th House

This house rules sex, death, taxes, insurance, inheritances and other peoples' money. The eighth house on the astrological wheel shows a person's sexual attitudes, practices and personal hang-ups. Eighth house also rules matters concerning other peoples' money and how an individual secures the possessions of others. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house indicates how a person gains from others and it also denotes the actual physical death. This house rules taxes and IRS employees, all insurance companies and its employees. The eighth house also represents the third-born child. Scorpio and the planet Pluto rules the eighth house. This house is ruled by the water element, and is a succedent house, which lends an emotional and persevering energy.

9th House

This house rules long-distance travel, higher education, religion, philosophy, publishing and higher courts. The ninth house on the astrological wheel determines a person's philosophical views, religious beliefs and his or her need for soul expansion. This house rules higher learning, wisdom and it also shows a person's ability to rise in the world. Ninth house represents professors, religious leaders, social workers, publishing companies, all places of worship, universities and foreigners. The ruler and the particular planets found in this house will determine a person's journeys and his or her educational and religious pursuits. Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter rule here. This house is ruled by the fire element, and is a cadent house, denoting an ability to bring projects to fruition, gaining tangible things from personal life experiences.

10th House

This house governs the career, the father and an individual's public reputation. The tenth house on the astrological wheel represents authority figures, corporate companies and its employees, politicians and all matters related to the public. This house also represents the father and the fourth-born child. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house will indicates the chosen career field, how the public views an individual and what kind of relationship a person has with his or her father. Capricorn and the planet Saturn rule the tenth astrological house. It defines the best-suited career field and the outcome of all seventh house matters. This house is ruled by the earth element, and is an angular house, characterized by an ambitious, pioneering go-getter energy.

11th House

This house rules friends, acquaitances and charitable acts bestowed upon the world. The eleventh house on the astrological wheel represents the humanitarian nature and how it is expressed. It also shows a person's hopes and wishes and how those goals are achieved. The eleventh house rules in-laws and grandparents, charitable and non-profit organizations, clubs and groups of any kind. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house shows the type of friends a person chooses and his or her humanitarian efforts. The rulers of the eleventh house also signifies personal hopes and dreams of an individual and how he or she reaches them. Aquarius and the planet Uranus rule here. This house is ruled by the air element, and is a succedent house, denoting a passionate steady energy aimed at attaining one's goals and uplifting humanity.

12th House

This house governs the subconscious mind, dreams, secret enemies and karma. The twelfth house on the astrological wheel represents an individual's subconscious mind and the hidden side of a person that remains dormant. This house rules hospitals, prisons, large institutions, orphanages and past lives. It represents prison guards, prisoners, medical staff, social workers, the poor and homeless, secret enemies and asylum dwellers. It also represents the fifth-born child. People of a down-trodden nature and all that is hidden and secret can be found here. The ruling sign and the particular planets found in this house indicate subconscious needs and private things a person withholds from the public world. Pisces and the planet Neptune rule the twelfth house. Twelfth house matters signify the need for an individual to address something left undone. This house is ruled by the water element, and is a cadent house, indicating a changeable energy that works toward closure.