Horoscope Houses in Astrology
Welcome to Horoscope Houses in Astrology, a series on the twelve houses of your birth chart, and their meaning. This time the Tenth House of your natal chart (personal horoscope) is in focus. Of course, the houses have the same meaning no matter if we are looking at your public predictions (your zodiac sign) or your private predictions. If you are a Premium Member and have your own birth chart from me, though, you’ll get the most from what you’re about to read.
A really simple way to know yourself at a glance is to find which zodiac signs dominate. Which house (or slice of the wheel) has the most factors?
Horoscope Houses in Astrology: The Tenth House
The Tenth House is ruled by the zodiac sign Capricorn and Saturn. This is where you climb to the top, achieving your goals and becoming successful. From there you either spend a great deal of time hanging on to the top, or finding other mountains to climb. Capricorn is an ancient symbol for the goat who scales the heights, being careful not to put a foot wrong.
The Tenth House describes the system. This may be the class system. The caste system in India. It describes the typical hierarchy of a corporation or business. The interns or work-experience placements are at the bottom. At the top is the C.E.O. or Manager. If you can picture a mountain with a broad base, rising to a small peak at the top, you will soon see that the ‘masses’ are at the base holding up the ‘top people’ at – you guessed it – the top. Who are the top people? Those in the social pages of glamorous magazines, newspapers and websites. Those who become famous. Those who win promotions, win awards, land hits, sit on top of the bestseller lists, and the rest.
The planets, asteroids, angles or Nodes you have in Capricorn in the Tenth House describe how easy or difficult it is for you to work with the system. Do you respect the game – and want to play the game – or do you struggle with the rules? Saturn is a great symbol of fear in astrology. He is pale yellow (the colour of the human face when all blood drains away, when one is facing fear). He is also surrounded with rings, which represent the barriers, walls or boundaries we put up, to make ourselves feel more secure and less threatened by who/what is coming at us.
The Tenth House describes old systems and ancient structures in society which seek to keep fear at bay. What kind of fear? Well, the fear that someone or something could threaten the whole structure so it comes tumbling down. Thus, there are all kinds of rules, regulations, checks and balances in a typical Tenth House workplace, business, government, government department, company or corporation. There is no room for anything or anybody spontaneous or unpredictable, because that might create a landslide on the mountain.
Capricorn structures also seek to comfort people’s fear of unemployment, or failure, by guaranteeing them a well-worn path to the middle of the mountain, if not the actual top. If you do what is suggested and put one foot in front of the other, like a mountain goat – never putting a foot wrong – you too can have your place in the world. If you know your place, you can have your place. Still, with the Tenth House, there is always that fundamental ambition to do better, go further and climb higher. This is also where some of the fear associated with the Tenth House comes from. What if someone else beats you to the top?
We associate High Society (as in, the film of the same name) with Capricorn and the Tenth House. People with the Moon in the Tenth House need to be needed (the Moon rules maternal instinct) by taking care of people within the system. Looking after their elders and betters, or ‘feeding’ the people at the top. As always with any factor in Capricorn in the Tenth House, you have to look for the ambition as well. Mercury in Capricorn in the Tenth House can describe a person who uses his/her way with words, ideas and images to go further within a system. Perhaps this is the ambitious teacher who yearns to be headmaster or headmistress, so starts English language coaching in his/her spare time, to gain favour with superiors.
The Tenth House is about ‘Slow and steady wins the race’ and although it is the mark of a social climber, one only tends to attract this label when there is an unseemly rush to become closer to those at the top (whom, it is thought, will give on a helping hand.) The ladder is the great symbol of the Tenth House. Climbing the social ladder, the corporate ladder, the academic ladder or the property ladder can bring great rewards, if you genuinely believe in the ladder itself and what it is made of. If you don’t, or if the ladder feels shaky, you may have the career crisis, or ‘search for meaning’ crisis which can affect so many men in particular in the business world, as it is overwhelmingly men who are at the top of the system.
[contentblock id=show-chart]
Writing in Horoscope Symbols (Whitford Press, 1981) Robert Hand sees this house as: “One’s career or profession. One’s social status, honor or reputation.” He goes on to associate it with “People in power over one, such as bosses, employers or government officials.” Hand associates the Tenth House with father or mother, as so some other astrologers, but I have never found this, except in the cases of teenagers asked to work in the family firm (parents are employers) or adults who still see one parent or the other, as the boss. It’s not always true.
27 Responses
Hi there Jessica,
I have the South Node 20 Capricorn. Then looking at other aspects that square it , would that be considered a grand square / cross ? What would the South Node mean here in the tenth house?
Thank you.
Yes, Fortuna, the Moon and your North Node and South Node are in an almost-exact Grand Cross in your chart. Pluto slowly moving across 19, 20 Capricorn is drawing your attention to that. This cycle is classically about powerful people or organisations which take – or take over – and it doesn’t just affect your status and success (Capricorn) it tends to trigger issues about family (Cancer), partners (Libra) and image (Aries) all at the same time. So, it’s a big deal. And it takes a while. What it ultimately teaches you is that if you want to be empowered and in control, you have to own your own life and own self. And that takes fierce willpower but you can do it. When you succeed you will have that self-respect and empowerment for life.
Thank you so much dear Jessica for that.
I have looked at my chart and in the 10th house, I seem to have
Diana
13° Capricorn 05′ 42″
Fortuna
22° Capricorn 05′ 36″
I am not sure how Diana and Fortuna work but whatever these two areas are, should I put all my effort to work hard here?
I feel more creative but always end up doing mundane organisational structural and procedural work, perhaps I should accept this as a sign, I am better suited for it.
Your Moon, Pluto and South Node in Virgo in the Sixth House of your chart (service, duty, detailed workload) are behind this structural and procedural role you perform – in fact, it’s textbook. And actually, you’re powerful when you do that. When you T.C.B. (Take Care of Business) you actually end up being quite formidable. Still – the transits across Diana and Fortuna now through 2020 seem certain to reshape your overall career. Jupiter on your Diana and Fortuna, for example, will give you amazing opportunities to be far more independent. You could easily branch out and work for yourself, actually – if you wanted to. You’ll see how and why in 2020.
Hi Jessica,
I hope this comment finds you in peace and serenity.
I am a Libran born on 3rd Oct and I have been struggling with money since God knows when. Do you see light at the end of the tunnel? If so, when can I see it too as I am desperate for normalcy with my finances?
Thanks a bunch.
You’re in the best cycle for repair work. For renovation and fixing! The longer you let things slide (or others did) the more patient you will have to be, but that’s okay. You should be seeing some tough but necessary progress being made right now. It does get better and easier so hang in there. And do use who/what you are being given, as none of this is an accident. It’s your Jupiter cycle and it’s there to use. By rights, you should end up in a much better situation by the end of this cycle in November. Start using what you’ve been thrown and go back if you let it slip past you and get away before.
Hi Jessica, 10th house transits in the last 10 years have literally reshaped my life like I never imagined! Many many hardships but few sweet successes as well. You’ve said before that I have been climbing the mountain for a long time and boy, has it been tough in places, but it’s not long to go until 2020. My Sat Return is happening as we speak – but this will be opposing a lot of Cancerian factors. so any words of wisdom for me? thanks a lot!
The Capricorn-Cancer split in your horoscope is really about coming to terms with your family’s choices versus your own. This runs quite deep. Sometimes the issue with a chart like this is the family moving, and the person concerned having to come with them (obviously) but not feeling 100% convinced about the new home, region or country. There can also be issues about doing well in life; having the kind of success which takes them further away from the family. There are often issues about social class and the family. Nothing is simple, as you know, but the Saturn Return will help you come up with some creative solutions. Why? Because you have to.
Hi Jessica
My sun and Minerva are both at 14 degrees Capricorn, then Salacia at 18, Fortuna at 25, south node at 29. How do you see the sun- Minerva connection at this point in my life?
I have more often been chosen for positions than self chosen, others trust me, feel safe and then I have risen to the position despite my initial mix of fear, lack of confidence then conversely lots of courage. I was most in my element performing in an improvisational way when younger for 20 years in Australia and Europe and storytelling ( not so capricornian on the face of it, but impro has much to do with form) Now a counsellor and manager of other counsellors in a great organisation ( really lucky to have permanent work here in our current climate) much of the work is trauma. In effect still with story of a kind.
Does my chart say anything about my career at this stage and whether just staying and consolidating my practice here is best? or move from west to east (NSW) and start over?
Should I buy the place I rent and just settle in properly in this place where 10 th house matters seem to sort themselves out, instead of always dreaming of being elsewhere a bit greener?
Welcoming your thoughts from this 10th house Cappy perspective, GdM.
Thank you. You will have your North Node and South Node Return in Cancer and Capricorn eventually and that will probably nail your decisions about property (Cancer) and career (Capricorn). At the moment the Nodes are in Leo and Aquarius and they always move backwards through the zodiac signs, so you have about a year to go. It does look as though there will be a major shift in your life direction and ambition (Capricorn) and your sense of belonging, place and ‘sanctuary’ in the world. The two go together in your chart. It’s already in motion, but it will evolve across 2019 and it may not be until 2020 that you finally feel you know what’s what, and who is where.
Hi Jessica, Thanks for writing this article about the 10th house – the house I admire the least. I have Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, the North Node, and a whole host of asteroids in Capricorn. I have Saturn in Gemini and the Moon in Cancer. I think I’m in the midst of a midlife crisis that has spanned the last five years. I have achieved naught in my life up to this point, I don’t admire the structures that Capricorn and the tenth house represent. I had an issue with a government group back when Saturn was in Scorpio. In reference to your article, I was quite ‘wrong footed’ and made lots of mistakes. These were all good lessons, but I feel quite disillusioned with Capricorn. The mountain top ideal does not measure up. I want everyone to feel like they have their place at the summit – including me – there just doesn’t seem to be enough room (both physically and metaphorically). The lack of oxygen and clouds that engulf those at the top (wealth and power) seem to prevent others from also finding their place in the sun.
Anyway, I always love your articles. Thanks for writing them. Blessings to you and your work.
Thank you. Actually, you’ve been living through the long, slow transit of Pluto in Capricorn in your Tenth House since 2008, and it won’t end properly until 2023 – so if you feel your midlife crisis has been going on for years, that’s why! What is happening globally is happening to you locally; the big worldwide shift against the top 1% and the slow move towards a new, Aquarian way of dealing. Despite being ‘wrong footed’ you are still on the mountain. And you can also shift mountains. I think that’s probably what you’ll do, especially once Jupiter goes into Capricorn (the big year is 2020) and you will have opportunities to fix and repair your ambition, mission and position.
Hi Jessica,
I have a very crowded 10th house with 7 planets there. I feel comfortable understanding their meaning but could you please explained the asteroids? I have Cupido, Salica and Ceres in Capricorn.
I had a stillborn son 28 years ago and often attribute my Ceres in cap to this event.
I know I’m very Capricornia in that I have a no nonsense view about life, and accept that you have to go out and make ” shit happen” , and that somethings don’t come easy.
Still I’m very optimistic person and hate that capricorns get a bad rap for being boring and conservative,.
Thanks for your insights and writings, very helpful in expanding my astrology knowledge.
Baroona
Baroona, I am very sorry to hear you had a stillborn son, yet that has nothing to do with your Capricorn stellium in the Tenth House – and far more to do with Uranus exactly conjunct Apollo at 20 Leo in your Fifth House of children. If you are curious about your Capricorn placements start with the idea that Ceres is about winning, losing and compromising and on a career level you will reach peak achievement here but also find occasional episodes of dramatic trade-off with other people – or the universe itself. The path from 2019 to 2020 will change your life for the better as we see a stellium sweep through Capricorn including Jupiter.
Hi Jessica,
My tenth house is sadly empty but for Panacea. Perhaps that explains the non existence of a career in my life, despite having highly-difficult-to acquire professional degrees. My Cancer stellium may have sabotaged it and my wishy-washy Piscean moon.
What is the healer planet doing in my chart sitting up there? Your thoughts on it and any other aspect will be highly appreciated.
Neptune, Diana, the Node and the IC (Immum Coeli) are all in Sagittarius in your Ninth House and there is your answer. Sure, you are not crazily ambitious (with only one factor in Capricorn in the Tenth House of career). More to the point, your degrees are your way of acting out your packed Ninth House. This is the mark of the student of life or eternal teacher. Also a lifelong traveller or migrant. The key to it all is Neptune, which wants nothing to do with the real world, and Diana, which is about fierce independence. She hates to be tied down. So, you wanted the education and academia but you did not want reality or too much commitment. You will have a stunning chance to resolve this and actually use your degrees and knowledge, when Jupiter goes through Sagittarius – it starts in November – and is there through 2019.
Hi Jessica
I have a single factor in capricorn, Neptune at 8 degrees. And no other factor in one degree orb except for chiron at 6 cancer. Can u elaborate on jupiter-south node conjunction at 8 cap in 2020 for me.
As a sun scorpio, I am trying to launch a career in writing. How can I best use this transit through my solar 3rd and personal 10th house?
Thankyou for you words of wisdom and enlightenment.
I’ll focus on the fact that you are a Sun Scorpio person who wants to become a writer. You currently have both Pluto and Saturn in your Third House of writing, and later on, Jupiter and Ceres will also arrive in this area of your chart. You are quite right to start now. It might be very hard work, but once Jupiter (opportunity, growth, expansion) moves in, you will find it’s like freewheeling down the other side of the hill. The uphill part is 2018, 2019 – yet if you stay the course, by 2020 you will be on your way. I suspect you have factors in Sagittarius in your chart – take a look at that – if you do, then you would gain from studying writing too, especially in 2019.
Hey jessica, i have moon and ops in taurus. Recently i saw one of ur article uranus in taurus and uranus in aries. Can this uranus in aries cycle be a factor affecting my career life going on n off again n times? It remains on hardly for 6 months or so and then off for 2 3 yrs since 2012. Can this new cycle of uranus in taurus have some hope or positive news for my career life? Fyi, i have some talks going on n off for (a part time role) a job, can it be mine? If yes, would it last? Thanks for ur efforts and ur time.
You sound as if you are chopping and changing quite a lot with your career. One look at your chart and you can see why. You have a lot of factors in Capricorn in the Tenth House, which rules your profession. Pluto (transformation) has been passing through Capricorn and triggering some of that. What I would say immediately, is that you need to go back to study. You have a fantastic Sagittarius stellium in your Ninth House, which rules part-time and full-time education. From the end of this year, you will have your Jupiter Return in Sagittarius, which is incredibly fortunate, and then in 2019 Jupiter goes on to complete a cycle in this Ninth House of your chart. Get on with your life now, but please do look at acquiring new skills or qualifications, part-time or full-time next year.
Yes dear, i have experimented a lot with my career and its not getting on track even now. Till the next year and before i get to study again, wont i be able to earn or there are any hopes! Also, i am confused between two fields to get the courses finalised, my qualification based and the one that totally new for me? Which one u think should work for me? If i plan a move permanent to my home country next year or so, would it work fine for me, financially, personally and professionally?
You’re not logged in, unfortunately, so I can’t see your birth chart. Thank you.
Jessica, whenever i try to respond to ur comment second time, my comment disappears after some time. Dont know how. Anyways, yes i have been experimenting with my career coz i found out the skills are not serving my purpose of earning well. I am already looking for courses but confused if i shud go with old enhancing my skills or go with the mArket total new field to which i am also very new. Can u suggest something. Also, If i move permanently to my home country the next yr, do i see it as a positive step professionally and personally for me?
You have posted twice, so I’ll go onto your next question, here. Thank you.
I have 5 factors in Capricorn (the equal largest stellium in my horoscope along with Scorpio and Aries), but after reading your comments I cannot see Tenth House aspects being very crucial in my life at all! Not that I haven’t worked, but there have been various circumstances that have prevented me (or rather, have encouraged other choices for me) from climbing any ladders. ARE all these factors I have in the Tenth House affecting me? And if so, how? Thank-you 🙂
Diana, Bacchus, Aesculapia, Salacia, Proserpina are all in Capricorn in your Tenth House of success, status and ambition. Diana is the drive to be free and independent of any organisation or person which spells commitment. Bacchus is about giving and receiving pleasure. Aesculapia means, just when you think a project, position or even an organisation is virtually over – it revives. Salacia is about operating successfully in one or more ‘holiday from reality’ positions or projects. Proserpina is your role as go-between, keeping two powerful people or companies happy. I hope that rings some bells!