What Does the 10th House Represent in a Natal Chart?
July 7, 2020 | Miriam Rachel
Have you ever wondered why you have been successful, or not successful, or ended up with a certain type of reputation? That is all found in your Tenth House, which is started by the Midheaven. Your Midheaven is one of the four main points in your natal chart which is the opposite of your IC or Imum Coeli which is your Fourth House cusp. Your IC is the lowest point on your chart, and it represents anything that is beneath the surface of Earth which is why it is the most private area of your chart. The Midheaven is the highest point above the surface of Earth and this is the most public area of your chart.
The 10th House
Therefore, the Midheaven and the Tenth House is the house that is indicative of how the world sees you. Everything about you is public here. This is the house that rules your career, reputation, ambitions, professional image, and your place in society. This is also the house that represents the dominant parent whereas the Fourth House represents the more nurturing parent.
There is a lot of mixed messages about the type of parent that this house rules. Some sources say that this house represents the father, and others say it represents the mother. And there are other sources that say this house represents the parent of the same sex. However, because this is the house that represents business and the Fourth House represents the home – it makes more sense for the Tenth House to rule the dominant parent and the Fourth House to rule the nurturing one.
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The Tenth House is also naturally ruled by Capricorn, and by Saturn. This is an earth house. Earth houses are what represent money, work, and skills. As you know The Second House which is naturally ruled by Taurus shows how you handle your possessions and finances, and the type of skills you have. The Sixth House which is naturally ruled by Virgo represents your attitudes towards work and services, and it can represent smaller jobs. The Tenth House rules career. Let’s focus on that aspect of this house now.
Career
The nature of your career is what is found in this house. You may see a lot of material out there that talks about the ideal career for you being based on your Sun sign. There is a factor of truth to that, and the Ascendant and First House have an influence as well. However, the type of career you really lean towards is found in the Tenth House.
And sometimes your ideal career that is based on your Sun sign may just turn out to be a hobby for you, or how you represent yourself within your career. For instance, you have a Pisces Sun that may be in the Ninth House, but you have Aries on your Midheaven, and you have Mercury in that house as well. One of the careers that are associated with Aries being in the Midheaven or Mars in this house is anything that has to do with the law. Therefore, you may be a lawyer, and with Mercury in this house, you may have written a few law-related books. You may also have a very successful blog on what your law career entails.
However, because you have a Pisces sun, you may be drawn to music or art. Does this mean that even though your main career is in law that you may also have a side gig as an artist or musician? That is most definitely possible. And the fact that your Sun is in the Ninth house, you may be the type to go overseas often to become inspired in those areas. But, given your placement, it is unlikely that your main career would be in the arts. What about your reputation?
Your Reputation
The Tenth House rules your reputation as well as your career. Going back to the Mars example in the Tenth House is indicative of having a career in law if you have Aquarius on the Midheaven, that will have an effect on your reputation. Yes, you will be the lawyer, but you will be known as the ‘eccentric’ lawyer. Aquarius on the Midheaven or Uranus in the Tenth House will most definitely make you stand out like a sore thumb.
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Whether that is a positive or negative thing, that depends on the condition of Uranus. If it is in good condition, then you will have a reputation as being unique and magnetic. However, if it is in not so good condition, then you may have a reputation as just being eccentric or odd. Of course, that depends on what else is in the chart.
If you have Pluto in addition to Uranus no matter what the condition is, you will have a reputation of also being deep and mysterious, and known for sniffing out BS. Therefore, you may be seen as ‘weird’, but you would also be seen as not the one who was born yesterday either and somewhat feared. What about your professional image which is not the same thing as your reputation in its entirety?
How you appear professionally is also seen here. Are you the type that is seen as more laid back? Or are you tough and rigid in a professional way? Let’s go back to that example of Aries on the Midheaven and you being a lawyer. You also have Venus that is in good condition in the Tenth House. Therefore, you will not be seen as tough. You will instead be seen as someone who is charming and more laid back. You will be known as the lawyer who has charm and is easy going. Especially if you have an easy aspect with Neptune.
If you have Jupiter in this house, or if Jupiter makes an easy aspect to Venus in this house, then you will be the lawyer who is both charming with a sense of humor. And, you will always see the glass as half-full. Where does your place in society stand?
Your Place in Society
When the Tenth House is indicative of your place in society, that usually happens when your Midheaven or planets in your Tenth House are activated by transits. For instance, if you have Sagittarius as the Midheaven, or you have Jupiter in this house, you may be in the travel industry, or have a reputation for being jovial.
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However, if transiting Neptune makes an easy aspect to Jupiter, that can be indicative of developing a compassionate side. Therefore, you want to be the one who is known for helping the disabled or the unfortunate. You may be the one who travels to 3rd world countries to help out, and that is your role or place in society. The one who wants to help those who are less fortunate than you because of a compassionate transit affecting your Tenth House. The same goes for ambitions.
Ambitions are also seen in the Tenth House and are triggered by transits. Therefore, if you have any planet in this house that is making an easy aspect to Mars, then you will be motivated to act on it. If you have Saturn making a positive aspect, then you will be serious about sticking to your ambitions. And a lack of motivation can come from Neptune or Venus making difficult transits that are involving your Tenth House. But this energy comes and goes. And your dominant parent may have taught you a thing or two about the importance of hard work.
The Authoritarian Parent
As it was mentioned, there are mixed messages about the role of parents indicated by the Tenth House. Some say it is the mother, and others say it is the father. There are others who say it is the parent of the same sex. But it also makes more sense for this house to rule the dominant or authoritarian parent. The only way to properly make that judgment is by looking at the sign on your Midheaven and any planets in the house. Do they match your mother, or your father, or your parent of the same sex?
As you see, the Tenth House is the house that rules your public image, your professional life, and your reputation. What does your Tenth House reveal about you?
I am a Canadian mom, writer, astrologer, tarot reader, and evidential medium that enjoys traveling loves to unravel mysteries and is passionate about metaphysics and spirituality. I am also a mental health advocate and owner of several Medium publications, one being Tarot Talk, and you can find me at https://miriamreadstarot.com.
