Tenth House: Setting and Significations
Just like the Zodiac signs, there are twelve houses in an astrological chart. In this series of posts about the different parts of astrology, I will gather my research on the significations of each of the twelve houses.
In this post, I will focus on the tenth house.
[I will add to this post when I broaden and deepen my knowledge of this house, and make new observations concerning it.]
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Tenth House
Fast Facts
Keywords: Career, vocation, aspiration and ambitions, status, authority, what you are known for
Group: Angular
Traditional Name: Midheaven
Rulerships: Capricorn and Saturn
Setting and Significations
The tenth house is at the top of the chart and is associated with things that are part of your public life, as opposed to the private life in the opposite fourth house.
The MC is often located in the tenth house (though, depending on the chosen house system, it can be in other houses at the top of the chart as well), and is the point at which the Sun travels through at midday. Therefore, it’s suitable that this house “represents the idea of culmination – a high point to be reached.” (Taylor, 2018, p. 110).
The MC also indicates what you are publicly known for. That doesn’t have to be a career or vocation. You can be known for being a good cook, an animal lover, or for throwing amazing birthday parties for yourself. The tenth house and the MC basically “symbolize the reputation that precedes you—what someone perceives to be true about you based on your public persona” (Kent, 2023, p. 122).
While some sources state that the fifth house is associated with the father, others say that it’s the tenth house. Having an association between the tenth house and the father might be because, in the past, the sons tended to follow in their father‘s footsteps regarding public standing and status. Either way, the tenth house is about your public image, whether you’ve inherited it from your father (or mother or other parental figure) or it is something you’ve created, intentionally or unintentionally, for yourself.
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Sources
Brennan, Chris. The Astrology Podcast, episode 233: “Significations of the Twelve Houses, Part 2: Houses 7–12” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbdVCaKMBR4), 2019-12-06.
Gillett, Roy. The Secret Language of Astrology: The Illustrated Key to Unlocking the Secrets of the Stars. London: Watkins Media Limited, 2012.
Kent, April Elliott. The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology: Everything from zodiac signs to prediction, made easy and entertaining. San Diego, California: Two Moon Publishing, 2023.
Parker, Julia & Derek Parker. Parkers’ Astrology: The definitive guide to using astrology in every aspect of your life. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2020.
Taylor, Carole. Astrology: Using the wisdom of the stars in your everyday life. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2018.
