Imagine anything on Earth being born or created. A person, an idea, a question, a business being launched—just about anything. The position of celestial bodies during the time and location of that event are what horoscopes display, and they begin with the zodiac constellation that rises from the eastern horizon. This placement, known as the ascendant (or rising) sign, changes every 2 hours and marks where the horoscope begins and ends. From this point, western astrologers split the sky into 12 even slices that represent houses 1 through 12. All 12 houses point to different areas of life we experience. To put things into perspective, I will highlight each theme on tangible and intangible levels. It is important to note that these themes are not the end-all-be all and to stay flexible while learning other factors of a horoscope that also play their part.
Above Image: Depiction of 12 Houses
1st house
The first house is YOU. The Self. On a tangible level, it is your entire vessel and the way you use it. Your appearance and style, the way you walk and speak, and the overall approach you take to most situations. On the intangible level, it is YOU on a SOUL level. It is the presence you have and the aura you emit. It is all the possible versions of yourself as you continue to solidify your identity in this lifetime. The 1st house resonates most with the mantra of Aries “I am”.
2nd house
The second house is your possessions. On a tangible level, it is the physical possessions you own, with the first being your physical vessel. Any material possession you can think of can also apply, like your bank account, house, or car. On an intangible level, it is your gifts, your talents, your values, or anything else you own internally. The 2nd house resonates most with the mantra of Taurus “I have”.
3rd house
The third house is your environment. On a tangible level, it is your siblings you grew up with, your friends, your neighborhood, your early education, and your local community. The intangible level is the impact of your environment, which shows how you learn, communicate, and process thoughts. The 3rd house resonates most with the mantra of Gemini “I learn”.
4th house
The fourth house is your foundation. On a tangible level, this is your home, or anywhere that feels like home. This may also represent close friends and family, or anyone you feel comfortable building a close connection with. The intangible level is internal feelings like privacy, trust, intimacy, and safety. The 4th house resonates most with the mantra of Cancer “I feel”.
5th house
The fifth house is your expression. The tangible level is anything you find fun or exciting that brings you joy. The intangible level is the connection with your own creativity and inner child. The more authentic this connection is, the better. A few examples would be activities with children, dating, marriage, sex, personal hobbies, and other dynamics that require true self-expression. The 5th house resonates most with the mantra of Leo “I will”.
6th house
The sixth house is your routine. The tangible level is your daily habits, which determine the condition of your overall health. The intangible level can be the analysis of habits to improve health. Proper adjustments are rewarded with great physical health, which coincides with mental health. The 6th house resonates most with the mantra of Virgo, “I analyze.”.
7th house
The seventh house is your opposite. The tangible level is all your relationships and the general approach taken to them. The intangible level acts as a mirror to self, and the multiple things these connections teach you regardless if they are friend, foe, lover, etc. The 7th house resonates most with the mantra of Libra, “I relate.”
8th house
The 8th house is your shared bond. The tangible level can be secrets, contracts, investigations, taxes, or anything else that binds people in a material way. The intangible level can be death, karmic depth, mysticism, or anything else deeply immersive and transformative for those involved. The 8th house resonates most with the mantra of Scorpio, “I desire.”.
9th house
The 9th house is your experience. The tangible level involves physical travel to any extent and gaining perspectives from different people, lifestyles, or cultures. The intangible level is traveling mentally, which is best encouraged amid spiritual teachings, spiritual practices, and higher education. The 9th house resonates most with the mantra of Sagittarius, “I understand.”.
10th house
The 10th house is your status. The tangible level can be your career or place of business, including achievements made in the public eye. The intangible can be your public reputation, your natural influence on others, and your ability to lead. The 10th house resonates most with the mantra of Capricorn “I utilize”.
11th house
The 11th house is your dreams. The tangible level is a friend group, network, or community that was naturally made while pursuing them. This includes the technology used to bring people together in larger volumes during modern times. The intangible level can be your internal hopes and wishes while growing into the version of yourself that is needed to bring them into reality. The 11th house resonates most with the mantra of Aquarius, “I change.”
12th house
The 12th house is your subconscious. The tangible level can be anything that is lost, gone missing, or hidden from view. This can include yourself, whether you are gone on vacation, resting in bed, or on a spiritual retreat. The intangible level can be our own subconscious patterns, which we often perform without realizing. People and situations that reveal our own undoing (or hidden potential) can act as a major push towards growth, while the 12th house brings the wheel full circle. The 12th house resonates most with the mantra of Pisces “I believe”.
More factors are always considered when comparing just your sun sign to the ascendant sign and the entire chart. There are also multiple styles of astrology that portray charts in different styles.