The astrological tenth house sits right at the top of the chart wheel. Because it represents the place where the sun is highest in the sky this house has come to be associated with things that elevate us in the eyes of others – my career, reputation, and social standing within my community.
The meaning of the tenth house in both traditional and modern astrology has stayed fairly consistent. Modern astrology puts an emphasis on career, while older texts lean more towards one’s social position and therefore will judge things like marriage from transits to the tenth, since marriage changes one’s social status. The tenth house also is associated with honors, power, prestige, and advancement.
The fourth house, at the bottom of the chart, represents our foundation; the roots we put down in order to create a stable base from which we can move up and into the world. The tenth house then shows what we manifest out in the world. It’s the visible result of our actions (first house) and the tenth house from any other house will show its result or logical conclusion.
The tenth house is an angular house and therefore planets placed here have the power to act more directly in our lives. Those energies are also more visible to those around us since this house is place high up in the chart.
Traditionally the tenth house is the house of the mother, while the fourth is the house of the father. Again, the mother/father debate is a big one in astrology and there are many different ways of looking at which house represents what parent. Some will say the “dominant” parent is represented by the tenth; or the “conditional” parent, who’s approval and love were dependent on our behavior and choices is the tenth. Find what works for you.
In horary astrology the tenth house represents the querant’s job/career, honors, awards, and promotions. In the sale of a house the tenth house represents the price. In a lawsuit it represents the judge.
In mundane astrology the tenth house represents those in authority- the president, king, or dictator. It’s the national reputation, credit, and influence.
In medical astrology the tenth house represents the cure. It represents the knees, calves, shins, and hamstrings.
See a listing of blog posts for all of The Houses
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