What Are the Houses in Astrology & Which Planets Rule Them?

Plus expert insights on finding your own house and chart rulers

Co-authored by Angel Eyedealism and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Fact Checked

• Astrological Houses & Rulers
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• Why do houses & house rulers matter?
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• How do I find my house rulers?
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• How do I find my chart ruler?
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• Video

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Just like you have a birth chart that’s personalized to you, you also have a house chart—your house chart, however, is the same as everyone else’s, as each house always maintains the same position and characteristics. Each house also has a planet that naturally rules it, and we’ll give you a complete list of every house, its planetary ruler, and the qualities of both the house and ruler that can help you better understand your horoscope. Plus, we’ll give you more info on how to find your personal house rulers and your chart ruler—with help from a team of astrology experts.

House Rulers in Astrology: Quick List

• 1st House: Mars
• 2nd House: Venus
• 3rd House: Mercury
• 4th House: Moon
• 5th House: Sun
• 6th House: Mercury
• 7th House: Venus
• 8th House: Pluto
• 9th House: Jupiter
• 10th House: Saturn
• 11th House: Uranus
• 12th House: Neptune

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

The Astrological Houses & Their Rulers

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   1st House: Mars The 1st House—or the House of Self—is ruled by Mars. This house is all about your identity, inside and out. Think about how you view yourself and present yourself to others, as well as what you look like, what you act like, and how you approach life. All of these qualities and traits are directly influenced by what’s in your 1st House. But why is Mars the planetary ruler of this house? Aries (which is also ruled by Mars) is the first sign of the zodiac, so it’s similarly associated with identity, new beginnings, and the start of an important astrological series.

   • Planet motto: “I act.”
   • Zodiac sign: Aries.
   • Keywords: Self, life, and body.
   • What if Mars is in my first house? If Mars is in your first house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you struggle with selfishness or vanity.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who works as the official Resident Astrologer for PEOPLE Magazine.

   Stina Garbis is a psychic astrologer who specializes in personal tarot card and astrological readings as well as business consultations.

   Angel Eyedealism is an astrologer with nearly three decades of astrology experience as a specialist in relocation astrology and astrocartography.

   Tali & Ophira Edut (or the AstroTwins) are astrologers who work as the long-time resident astrologers at ELLE Magazine.

   Nico Pires is an astrologer who has studied the modalities of Astrology, Numerology, and Tarot for over a decade.
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   2nd House: Venus The 2nd House—or the House of Possessions—is ruled by Venus. The “Second House explains how you manage the things you perceive as possessions,” explains astrologer Nico Pires, as well as how and why you use money. In this way, the 2nd House might be able to help you understand what you truly love and desire, rather than blindly admiring all material things. With an emphasis on beauty, love, and desire, it’s no wonder that Venus is the ruler of this house.

   • Planet motto: “I love.”
   • Zodiac sign: Taurus.
   • Keywords: Possessions, money, material circumstances, and livelihood.
   • What if Venus is in my second house? If Venus is in your second house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you have a high appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship.
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   3rd House: Mercury The 3rd House—or the House of Communication—is ruled by Mercury. How you communicate can influence your relationships, your career, and even your sense of self-expression, which makes this house a vitally important and influential one. Mercury, as the ruler of this house, symbolizes a child-like curiosity to learn, analyze, reason, and share information with others.

   • Planet motto: “I think.”
   • Zodiac sign: Gemini.
   • Keywords: Local movement, short journeys, communication, school, and siblings.
   • What if Mercury is in my third house? If Mercury is in your third house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you are an extremely talented person, especially in the realms of communication and knowledge.
   

   William W. Hewitt, Astrologer

   In astrology, the 12 houses relate to life areas, each ruled by a zodiac sign. To find your house rulers, note the sign on the cusp of each house in your chart. For example, if Gemini rules your third house, its ruler, Mercury, rules that house. The planet ruling the sign on a house cusp is the house ruler. Knowing your rulers gives insight into the energies influencing different parts of your life.
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   4th House: Moon The 4th House—or the House of Home and Family—is ruled by the Moon. This house is “where you will find matters regarding your home, what it looks like, how you envision your house to be, and your relationship to the family that dwells inside,” says psychic astrologer Stina Garbis. The Moon is the “natural ruler of the fourth house,” adds professional astrologer Angel Eyedealism, as it “rules over home and housing,” as well as the different phases of home and family you might experience over your lifetime.

   • Planet motto: “I feel.”
   • Zodiac sign: Cancer.
   • Keywords: Home, family, roots, and parents.
   • What if the Moon is in my fourth house? If the Moon is in your fourth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you are your most authentic, comfortable self when with family.
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   5th House: Sun The 5th House—or the House of Pleasure—is ruled over by the Sun. This house is all about you. Who do you believe yourself to be? The answer lies in your 5th House, which dictates your interests, creative forms of self-expression, and even love affairs. The Sun, as a symbol of boldness, romance, pleasure, and self-expression, is a natural fit for this ego-driven and joyful house.

   • Planet motto: “I am.”
   • Zodiac sign: Leo.
   • Keywords: Creativity, children, romance, and entertainment.
   • What if the Sun is in my fifth house? If the Sun is in your fifth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you deeply crave social and romantic connections.
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   6th House: Mercury The 6th House—or the House of Health—is ruled over by Mercury. This house controls how you find balance in life, which may include your daily routine, how you help others, and your need for order or stability. Mercury plays a part in this house, as it can help you conquer the daily challenges of life with open communication, advanced problem-solving, and a keen intellect.

   • Planet motto: “I think.”
   • Zodiac sign: Virgo.
   • Keywords: Health, service, work, and routine.
   • What if Mercury is in my sixth house? If Mercury is in your sixth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you’re a master multi-tasker or a quick problem-solver.
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   7th House: Venus The 7th House—or the House of Partnership—is ruled by Venus. As the house of love, the 7th House “will tell you what kind of values you may seek in a romantic partner, but [it will] also help you decide what organizations or people to partner with in your career,” explains Pires. This house also affects your friendship and all types of relationships, including how you interact with those you love and how you can learn from your relationships. Being the planet of beauty and love, Venus is this house’s natural ruler.

   • Planet motto: “I love.”
   • Zodiac sign: Libra.
   • Keywords: Partners, marriage, and open enemies.
   • What if Venus is in my seventh house? If Venus is in your seventh house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you crave being in relationships or enjoy mediating in other people’s relationships.
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   8th House: Pluto The 8th House—or the House of Transformation—is ruled by Pluto. When things get tough, the 8th House and Pluto can empower you to adapt, evolve, and take control of your circumstances. How you respond in moments of crisis, as well as how those crises change you, is governed by the 8th House. Being the planet of transformation, power, and rebirth, Pluto is a natural fit for the 8th House.

   • Planet motto: “I empower.”
   • Zodiac sign: Scorpio.
   • Keywords: Sex, death, inheritances, others’ money, and loss.
   • What if Pluto is in my eighth house? If Pluto is in your eighth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you have a strong spiritual awareness.
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   9th House: Jupiter The 9th House—or the House of Purpose—is ruled by Jupiter. The 9th House is all about travel and learning new things, which can provide new experiences that’ll help you to broaden your mind and find a sense of purpose. The way in which you react to moments of growth or stepping out of your comfort zone is also influenced by this house. Since Jupiter is associated with “wealth and expansion,” says Eyedealism, as well as wisdom and spiritual growth, it’s no wonder that it rules over such an empowering and transformative house.

   • Planet motto: “I grow.”
   • Zodiac sign: Sagittarius.
   • Keywords: Travel, higher education, religion, spirituality, and law.
   • What if Jupiter is in my ninth house? If Jupiter is in your ninth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you have an optimistic outlook and a natural love of knowledge.
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    10th House: Saturn The 10th House—or the House of Enterprise—is ruled by Saturn. This house influences your public image, how you work, and your life or career goals. Saturn plays an important part in this house, as the planet governs your sense of duty, responsibility, and endurance during hardships. Without this ruling planet, you wouldn’t be as equipped to effectively make and achieve your goals.

    • Planet motto: “I achieve.”
    • Zodiac sign: Capricorn.
    • Keywords: Career, social position, and dominant parent.
    • What if Saturn is in my tenth house? If Saturn is in your tenth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you have a strong urge to lead and take on responsibilities.
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    11th House: Uranus The 11th House—or the House of Friendship—is ruled by Uranus. This house governs your connections with others and your social world, including friendships and any community groups or organizations you might join to better your own life and the lives of others, explains Eyedealism. It’s truly a “house of idealism,” she continues, rather than a house of cynicism. Uranus, meanwhile, is the natural ruler of this house because the planet represents an unconscious urge to find your individuality by seeking out community and connection.

    • Planet motto: “I evolve.”
    • Zodiac sign: Aquarius.
    • Keywords: Friendships, associations, and aspirations.
    • What if Uranus is in my eleventh house? If Uranus is in your eleventh house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you gravitate toward joining groups in order to find a sense of self.
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    12th House: Neptune The 12th House—or the House of Unconscious—is ruled by Neptune. Your wildest fantasies (including the version of yourself you wish to be) are squeezed into this house, making Neptune its natural ruler. Neptune is the symbol of imagination and illusion, influencing the mystical, fantastical, and often confusing experiences of life.

    • Planet motto: “I dream.”
    • Zodiac sign: Pisces.
    • Keywords: Hidden matter, the unconscious, clandestine relationships, secret enemies, and seclusion.
    • What if Neptune is in my twelfth house? If Neptune is in your twelfth house on your personal birth chart, this house will have added power, and it may indicate that you’re a deeply insightful person.
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Section 2 of 4:

Why do houses and house rulers matter in astrology?

1. Houses and house rulers matter because they affect specific aspects of your life. For starters, the different houses are important because they represent different life domains—such as self (1st House), family (4th House), and work (10th House). Then, the planets enter each house to influence how you will behave and experience life in each respective domain. Therefore, by understanding the houses and the planets that rule them, you’ll be able to understand why you’re experiencing certain things in certain areas of your life.

   • As astrologers Tali & Ophira Edut explain it, “the houses are like movie sets where astrological action happens. The planets are the actors, the zodiac signs are their costumes, and the houses are their locations.

Section 3 of 4:

How do I find the rulers of my astrological houses?

1. Get your birth chart, find the zodiac sign on a house’s cusp, then find that sign’s ruling planet. What we’ve explained in this article has to do with the traditional planetary rulers associated with each house. However, you’ll also have personal planetary rulers over the houses in your birth chart. To find the rulers of your astrological houses, process through the following steps:

   • Generate your birth chart online with a birth chart calculator.
   • Looking at your chart, observe the zodiac sign at the beginning (or cusp) of each of your 12 Houses, which are represented by lines, with the 1st House’s line being at the 9 o’clock position.
   • Match the zodiac sign on each house cusp to its ruling planet—here’s a complete list of zodiac signs and their ruling planets.
   • Find that ruling planet in your chart to see which house and sign it falls into. This will tell you how the energy of that house is expressed.
   • For example, let’s say your 2nd House cusp is in Aries. Aries is ruled by Mars. This means that you likely approach finances, possessions, and material desires with the bold, energetic, and opportunity-seeking energy of Mars.
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Section 4 of 4:

How do I find my chart ruler?

1. Find your Rising sign on your birth chart and identify the planet that rules that sign. “Your chart ruler is the planet that rules your first house, also known as your Ascendant or Rising sign,” explains astrologer Kyle Thomas. To find your chart ruler (which is distinct from the traditional house rulers we’ve previously discussed), get your birth chart from an astrology site by entering your exact birth date, time, and place. Then, you’ll be informed of your Ascendant or Rising sign. Find out which planet rules over that sign—that planet is your personal chart ruler!

   • Your chart ruler can influence your overall personality and life path, and its house placement may also show where its energy is most dominant or powerful.

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