In a recent session with a client who’s relatively new to astrology, the question came up about Houses in the Birth Chart. Specifically, “What’s the significance of the 10th House?” asked this person, who happens to have their Natal Sun in the 10th House.
Houses are probably the element of the Astrological Birth Chart that people are least familiar with. Imagine the overhead view of a pie (I’m thinking of peach pie, since we’re currently in that delicious fruit season!) – this is your Birth Chart. Divide it into twelve slices. Each of those is a House, and each represents a distinct area of life and human behavior.
Just as we all have all the Planets represented in our Chart (Sun, Moon, Mercury, etc.), and we all have all the Signs (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc.), we all have 12 Houses. Of course, it’s the various combinations that make each Birth Chart unique.
As we approach Leo season, it seems fitting to use the Sign of Leo for our example here. And for sake of simplicity, let’s use the Sun (one’s main identity) as the example Planet.
When one’s Natal Sun is in Leo 10th House, it signifies a strong emphasis on career, public image, and social recognition—the 10th House being associated with one’s professional life, achievements, and the legacy one aims to leave in the world. And with a Leonine “agenda” or script (the Sign is the filter through which a Planet’s energy gets colored), then in that person’s public life, there’s a love of exuberant self-expression: at its highest, passionate expression from deep within the heart, i.e., with a certain vulnerability—and a desire for recognition for it, by others out in the world. On the lower end of the spectrum, a tendency towards being overly dramatic and/or show-offy, always needing to be the center of attention, is another way Leo energy could show up in less positive expressions.
Remember, all energies run on a spectrum of potentials; there’s not one set definition of a Leo 10th House Sun.
To further clarify the “public” nature of the 10th House, let’s look at the exact opposite: a Leo Sun in the 4th House.
If someone’s Natal Sun is in Leo in the 4th House, then we’re talking about the realm of the private, rather than the “out in the world,” public realm. The 4th House is all about the context of home, family, one’s roots, and represents an aspect of one’s deepest core needs. This is the House of comfort, security, and a sense of belonging. Again, layering in the Sun with a Leonine set of values, then this person’s main identity is deeply tied to their family and emotional roots. They may be seen (and want to be seen) as a central family figure who enthusiastically provides support and nurturing—in that same passionate, exuberant way—to loved ones.
In other words, this person wants to shine brightly and be recognized and adored within their close-knit circle rather than in the public eye. Maybe they’re the heart of the family, bringing fun-loving gregariousness, joy, and warmth to their home environment.
While I used the Sun as the Planet and Leo as the Sign in both examples above, the difference between the 10th House and the 4th House lies in the areas of life where the person most naturally expresses themselves and finds purpose. The 10th House represents their career, public image, and social recognition, while the 4th House represents their home, family, and emotional foundations. Leo's influence colors their expression and approach in each of these domains, but the focus and context is distinct.
And of course, we ALL have a 10th House and a 4th House in our Birth Charts!
- Which Signs of the Zodiac are placed in each, for you?
- Do you have any Planets in either of these Houses?
- In what way do you wish to make your mark on the world (10th House)?
- And what is the primary set of values that color your private realm (4th House)?
And by the way, given that Leo season starts in just two days, it’s an appropriate time to be mindful of whichever House the Sign of the Lion is located for you, too!
(And if you want to explore any of this more deeply, book a Reading with me!)
Back to Soul Map Songs.
###