Sun in the Houses

Your Sun’s sign is significant, and so is the house where it shines those very particular traits. Your Sun’s house is a leading guide to your main life purpose.

Discover your own Sun's house position by looking at the birth chart. Here are some ways the Sun in the twelve houses is expressed:

The First House: (House of Aries and Mars)

Big personality. The Sun with its Leo-inspired traits is your calling card, for a gregarious, forceful presence. You lead with the heart, and it’s hard for you to fake enthusiasm. Your sunny attitude is contagious, but the heightened charge can feel overwhelming to others at times. When you’re generous and encourage others to also shine, you are a magnet for friends and a natural leader. Your life’s work is living your true essence in a way that makes the right impression – on people and situations.

The Second House: (House of Taurus and Venus)

A central purpose is to live your values and make the most of what you’ve got – your natural talents and resources. You thrive when you’re in a rhythm of steady growth and building. You’re motivated to work hard, for what feels lasting, and to develop solid skills in your field. When you find your groove, in a profession that feels substantial, you’re happy to root in. And you’re a lover of beauty, nature and the sensual life – these bring the peace you crave. There’s a chance you’ll over-identify with your things or your bank balance. But your creaturely self keeps you close to what’s natural and simple.

The Third House: (House of Gemini and Mercury)

You’re an inspired messenger, and make information come alive as vital currents in constant exchange. Your Sun here means you’re happiest in stimulating company, and eager to absorb the latest news, ideas, and trends. It’s energizing for you to be in a translator role, for events of the day – you could, for example, be attracted to media or be a prolific essayist, or blogger. Your curiosity and youthful spirit make you a natural teacher and sounding board for friends and family.

The Fourth House: (House of Cancer and the Moon)

A vital pull is to establish a sense of place, home, and family (and sometimes this means friends-as-family). To realize the Sun’s central purpose may mean resolving underlying residual psychic and emotional material from childhood. You gain confidence as a home-maker or head of the household. You flourish when you’re able to nurture life and experience family intimacy. You’re attracted to history, personal stories, and lineages – the emotional-familial waters out of which we emerge. You may thrive working at home and have an active, poetic imagination.

The Fifth House: (House of Leo and the Sun)

Your central purpose is to be creative – and for what you create, to be instantly recognizable as yours. You shine then, as a unique individual, and when discipline is there, can be successful. You grow by putting yourself out there, taking creative and other kinds of risks. Your medium may be life itself, as you bring art to throwing your children’s birthday parties, or hosting soirees. You’re a natural celebrant, and find a comforting rhythm in the seasons, holidays, birthdays that cycle around. You love to be in love and find it a joy to be around children, too.

The Sixth House: (House of Virgo and Mercury or Chiron)

Your Sun shines when your day-to-day life is flowing with ease, and it’s a satisfying blend of activities. You’re energized by work that’s productive and makes you feel you’re contributing to the greater good. You’re motivated to be as healthy as possible, and can be diligent with diet and exercise. You have an instinct for systems and understand how the many parts (and individuals) make up the whole. This makes you a natural organizer, in your work or family life. You can be dedicated and put others’ needs before your own. But be sure to avoid the perfectionism trap, and enjoy life and yourself as a work-in-progress.

The Seventh House: (House of Libra and Venus)

A core power is activated when you’re in a relationship. You come alive, with the mirror of the other – this makes you a real people person. Your finesse with the give and take makes you a sought-out partner for collaboration and a listening ear. One relationship may be to the public as someone in the spotlight. It can be hard to be on your own, as you feel like yourself, when in the presence of others. But you’ll want to cultivate the flipside of togetherness, with a strong sense of self, and ability to be your own wise counsel when necessary.

The Eighth House: (House of Scorpio and Pluto)

You are vitalized by intensity and are drawn to that in people and places. A central Sun-inspired activity here is undergoing ordeals with another, and in the process, transforming. Your natural leanings can be to what’s usually censored, to the mysterious or culturally taboo. The main attraction is to the pulse of power and psychic treasures that can be accessed in the shadows. You sense the power of a sexual union and may be fascinated by it, leading to deep exploration. You don’t want to live on the surface and may go through many extreme changes in belief and even physically.

The Ninth House: (House of Sagittarius and Jupiter)

A central purpose is to continually enlarge your worldview, through knowledge and first-hand experiences. You’re a natural philosopher, able to make connections across many disciplines and cultures. This dot-connecting ability puts you in the role of visionary, sometimes at odds with the crowd. But your vision allows you to rise above, and be loyal only to what you perceive as the truth. You stay happy when testing your own limits of endurance, and placing yourself in exotic surroundings. Travel may be part of your plan, and your circle of friends may span the globe, too.

The Tenth House: (House of Capricorn and Saturn)

You’re naturally drawn to the path of achievement, and at a young age, may show uncommon ambition (like being a prodigy). You’re willing to work very hard and have the strength to overcome obstacles that others would crumble under. You’re energized when you take a role as a public figure, with a lot of responsibility. You’ll want to avoid the trap of being all work and no play, and create balance with a web of personal relationships. It’s important to enjoy the journey, and learn to lighten your load with good times.

The Eleventh House: (House of Aquarius and Uranus)

You are enlivened when in the company of those that are on your wavelength. It’s especially rewarding to merge your goals into that of a group, where all input is respected. And yet, you’re at your best when free to break with convention, and exhibit your uniqueness, even if it’s eccentric in some way. You are future-oriented and willing to work hard toward goals that are ahead of their time. You shine at the leading edge, demonstrating what’s possible and following the beat of your own drum. You are a friend to all but may find intimacy more challenging.

The Twelfth House: (House of Pisces and Neptune)

Your vitality requires periods of retreat when you explore the vast inner dimensions. You perceive this as just as real as the external world. So by studying mysticism and meditation, you gain self-confidence to rely on this interior life as your foundation. You’re a natural artist, drawing on what’s swirling in the ocean of inner and outer space. You are sensitive to the shared dream, and pick up emotions and impressions at the edge of where you end and others begin. Be gentle with yourself, as you find your medium and a safe harbor for your sensitivity.