Astrology is a wonderful way to learn more about yourself and the world around you; but with so many factors, it can feel like an overwhelming subject for a beginner – or even for the more experienced student of the stars. Your birth chart contains many pieces of the celestial puzzle that are your personality and purpose.

　　The natal chart looks like a wheel that is separated into 12 portions, or houses. Each section, or house, represents a different aspect of your life, and the placements contained within a certain house can give you deeper insight into that facet of your life.

　　Today, we’ll be discussing the 1st, 5th, and 9th houses – three houses that come together to form a trine called the life houses. Learning about these houses and the connection they share will help you understand more about your birth chart, yourself, and astrology in general.

　　

The Life Houses

Each house in the natal chart belongs to a trine – a relationship that it shares with two other houses, divided by element. The 1st, 5th, and 9th houses are ruled by Fire and together they represent the overall attitude one has towards life.

　　

The 1st House of Self

The 1st house is also known as the house of self, and it represents all-things-you. This house is associated with Aries, the sign that marks the beginning of the astrological year. Aries is a Fire sign ruled by Mars that is assertive and self-aware.

　　The 1st house represents your physical appearance, your outward personality and manner of self-expression, and how you conduct yourself in general. Learning more about your 1st house placements will give you a better sense of not only who you are inherently, but how you present yourself to the world around you.

　　Not only does the 1st house connect to who you are intrinsically, but it also connects to the environment that helped shape who you are today. This house is associated with both nature and nurture and will tell you more about who you were born to become.

　　In addition to your external self, this house also represents the hidden aspects of yourself that you keep tucked away from the world. The house of self connects to the masks that you wear out in the world, the ways in which you both show yourself to the world and hide yourself away from it.

　　

The 5th House of Pleasure

The house of pleasure, or the 5th house, is associated with optimistic Leo, a Fire sign ruled by the Sun. This house deals with romantic relationships, creativity, hobbies, luck, and preferred leisure activities.

　　While this house does shed light on some aspects of the romantic relationships in your life, it does not speak to your actual partner. (You can find that information in your 7th house.) The 5th house looks more at how you prefer to be loved, your type of romantic partner, and your turn-ons.

　　As the house of pleasure, the 5th house also relates to how you choose to spend your free time, what kind of hobbies you enjoy, and all manner of creativity. An active 5th house may indicate increased creative talent. This house embraces the arts and reflects a pool of creative energy.

　　Finally, the 5th house relates to your children. Learning more about your 5th house placements can give you deeper insight into the personalities of and relationships with your children.

　　Read This Next: The Ultimate Guide to Your Moon Sign

　　

The 9th House of Philosophy

The final house in this trine is the 9th house, the house of philosophy. This house is connected to the spiritual Sagittarius, a Fire sign ruled by expansive Jupiter. Jupiter asks you to make more of your world and your mind, and as such, this house deals with mental expansion, long-distance travel, education, communication, writing, and your own personal philosophies.

　　This is also a house of communication, and it is said to be the house of writers, poets, and publishers. The 9th house represents both spoken and written communication. It also represents the spread of ideas through some form of communication, which relates to the expansive nature of Jupiter.

　　The house of philosophy is called such due to its connection with higher education and mental stimulation. This house connects to knowledge, wisdom, and spirituality. Learning more about your 9th house placements can help you understand why you think the way you do, how to communicate more effectively, and how to expand your mind to its fullest capacity.

　　Because Jupiter deals with fortune, this is also a house of luck. The condition of the 9th house within your natal chart will give you a better idea of how naturally lucky you are.

　　

The Connection Between the Life Houses

If you encounter a natal chart with lots of activities in the 1st, 5th, and 9th houses, you’re looking at the chart of someone who enjoys life to the fullest. They bask in the glory of life and love and thoroughly enjoy the company of those they care for.

　　Someone with active life houses will likely be motivated to get the most out of life. They want to soak in every experience that they can.

　　The reason for this passion is the Fire element that connects these houses. In astrology, fire represents creativity, confidence, passion, impulsivity, and expansion—the essential attributes that together comprise these houses and their meanings.

　　

Why Understanding the Houses is So Important

While the signs and planetary placements of your birth chart are also crucial, the houses in which they rest are necessary for understanding the full picture. But don’t let the many aspects of astrology overwhelm you; taking the time to learn one aspect at a time will help you really soak in the energy.

　　And now that you know more about the life houses, you can take a look at your birth chart with more confidence, clarity, and astrological wisdom.

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