What Is the Tenth House in Astrology?

What does the Tenth House mean in astrology?

The Tenth House governs social status, success, and your life’s work. It’s the house that reflects your outer world and how others see you, making it the opposite of the Fourth House, which governs your private inner life. The Tenth House also speaks to your relationship with society. For instance, the Tenth House is thought to determine the influence of authority figures in your life, your career, reputation, destiny, and legacy. The cusp of the Tenth House is called the Midheaven. As you get older, the planets in your house become more influential since you begin to identify more with the Midheaven.

The Tenth House is an Earth House. The Earth Houses, or Work Houses, relate to the way you engage with material aspects of the world, like money and possessions. However, out of all the Earth Houses, the Tenth House arguably has the greatest long-term effect, since it guides your ultimate destiny and legacy. Think of the Tenth House as a highly philosophical Earth House. It invites you to ask, “How will I deal with success? Will I use my status to help others or will I only go after material things?” The Second and Sixth Houses are also Earth Houses. The Second House deals with your monetary and material possessions, while the Sixth House guides health and your daily routines (like your job). To reflect the Tenth House's large and important scope, astrologers also call the Tenth House the House of World Leaders, the House of Social Status, and the House of Ambition.

Saturn is the ruling planet of the Tenth House. Saturn influences responsibility and determination. Since Saturn is mysterious, the path determined by your Tenth House will unfold slowly over time. The ringed planet also brings structure and organization to the Tenth House in order to help guide you towards your life aspirations. Saturn is also the planet associated with karma. Cause and effect play a strong role in the Tenth House’s influence. Without hard work, you won’t be able to reap the rewards of the Tenth House!

Capricorn is the sign that rules the Tenth House. As a result, the Tenth House is charged with determined, hard-working energy. The grounded qualities of this sign lend the Tenth House an air of practicality. When you approach goal-setting in the Tenth House, you’re guaranteed a realistic, pragmatic roadmap to your future. Other planets and signs can still be located in the Tenth House on your natal chart. We’ll decode each sign and planet’s placement later in this article.

Interpreting Zodiac Signs in the Tenth House

Aries in the Tenth House: You’re an inventor, hustler, and a leader. You’re orderly and have a clear set of goals and visions in life. You might come off as a bit aggressive to people who don’t know you, but that’s just because of your energetic, passionate nature. You have a strong sense of what’s fair, and you’ll struggle to deal with leadership you don’t agree with. Ideal careers: entrepreneur, startup employee, sales manager, professional athlete

Taurus in the Tenth House: You’ll focus on physical and material satisfaction. Instead of picking a career you love, you’ll opt for a salary you love. People with Taurus in the Tenth House often end up in an industry like banking, in search of security and financial success. Regardless of your career path, you know how to treat yourself and make the most of your current situation. Ideal careers: investment banker, consultant, corporate executive, celebrity chef

Gemini in the Tenth House: You might have two career paths. Gemini is the sign of twins, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself working a 9-5 office job while brainstorming your dream product line on the side. As for your social status, you might get drawn into gossip and chatter. Keep your head held high, and remember that if you put positive energy and information out into the universe, it’ll come back to you. Ideal careers: journalist, PR specialist, writer, broadcaster

Cancer in the Tenth House: You’ll prioritize your family life ahead of work. As much as possible, you’ll try to base your career around your home life. That might mean working from home so you get more time to be with your kids or even running a business out of your house. While family will usually come first, you might end up attached to your career because you feel like it provides meaning and connection in your life. Ideal careers: interior designer, real estate agent, private chef, architect

Leo in the Tenth House: You’ll be drawn to prominent roles. You’ll be highly motivated to succeed at work and thrive when your accomplishments get public recognition. For instance, people with the Tenth House set in Leo often end up as artists, actors, dancers, and performers. Just remember, with the Tenth House set in Leo on your natal chart, you might have a tendency towards excessive pride when it comes to your abilities. Ideal careers: event planner, motivational speaker, politician, advertising agent

Virgo in the Tenth House: You’ll enjoy helping other people and will do well in a life of service. This sign placement means that you’re able to see both the interconnected nature of the world around you as well as the day-to-day tasks that need to get done. People born with the Tenth House set in Virgo are also critical thinkers with a keen eye for detail. Ideal careers: medical researcher, government employee, accountant, teacher

Libra in the Tenth House: You’re fair and good at weighing decisions. People with Libra in the Tenth House make great managers and leaders, because of their precision and integrity. Nevertheless, Libra in the Tenth House can make you prone to arguing with others because of a strong need to express yourself and your opinions. Ideal careers: lawyer, judge, counselor, HR manager

Scorpio in the Tenth House: You’re level-headed and determined in everything you do. That level of drive can alienate others and make you seem career-obsessed. You might get so wrapped up in your calling that you feel like you’re destined to become someone important and powerful. There’s nothing wrong with working to achieve those big goals! Just be wary of extreme emotions and obsessions, and don’t let them get in the way of your success. Ideal careers: psychologist, researcher, stockbroker, surgeon

Sagittarius in the Tenth House: You have a strong desire to explore in your career and in your life. Sagittarius is a sign that appreciates lots of space and distance, so you’re naturally drawn to careers that involve adventure and travel. In fact, you’ll thrive if you’re given the chance to lead other people into unexplored territory and through new challenges. The main weakness you need to look out for is hot-headedness. As you progress through your career and gain more status, strive to be patient and compassionate. Ideal careers: entrepreneur, travel agent, translator, college professor

Capricorn in the Tenth House: You’ll take a slow and steady approach to your career. You might even come across as cautious or overly-deliberate to people who don’t understand your meticulous ways. It’s possible that your caution stems from the karmic influence of bad decisions in a past life—now, you’re determined to get things right. Regardless, this placement is strong and practical, since Capricorn rules the Tenth House. Ideal careers: financial planner, analyst, statistician, logistics engineer

Aquarius in the Tenth House: You’ll forge your own innovative path in life. You let your eccentric and philosophical nature drive your interests, so it’s only natural that you’re drawn to creative and inventive careers. However, you’re likely the kind of person who likes to operate behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight, so you might feel more comfortable if you’re out of the public eye. If you ever want to feel more grounded, try refocusing on the daily routines of your professional and personal life. Ideal careers: scientist, engineer, computer programmer, designer

Pisces in the Tenth House: You’ll do best in a career where you get to tap into your emotional side. Since you’re probably a daydreamer at heart, it might be difficult to sit down and really think about what you want to do. For many people with Pisces in the Tenth House, that means choosing a career where you’ll get to express your creative talents or connect with others. Ideal careers: caregiver, nurse, doctor, artist

Intepreting Planet Placements in the Tenth House

If the Sun is in the Tenth House, your career and social life will thrive. This is considered the most auspicious sun placement, and you’re more likely to rise to a high position like CEO or chairperson of a company. But don’t worry, the success won’t get to your head because when the sun is in your Tenth house, you’re also likely to have a balanced ego.

If the Moon is in the Tenth House, you might wander in your career. You’ll find yourself changing career paths often or hopping from one job to the next in search of fulfillment. This longer path to stability isn’t a bad thing! It means you’re likely to be adaptable and charismatic. In the end, you’ll find the best fit for your unique goals and ambitions.

If Mercury is in the Tenth House, you’ll need constant stimulation in your career. You easily get bored at work, so you might take on multiple jobs at once or change jobs frequently. Because of your vivacious energy, people around you will respect the fresh perspective you bring to discussions. A career in speaking, writing, or teaching could all be a great fit for your intellectual drive and clear thinking.

If Venus is in the Tenth House, your charm and people skills will drive your success. You’ll be a true team player and the glue that holds your community together. While your natural grace will get you far, you’ll also tackle your professional life with ambition and an attitude that won’t take no for an answer.

If Mars is in the Tenth House, you’ll be competitive, ambitious, and driven. This placement is incredibly common among the most successful people in society, for good reason! Once you find your true calling, nothing can stop you from rising to the top. If you ever feel stuck, try changing up your career path to recharge and put your high energy levels to good use. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, meaning the planet is at its most powerful when it's associated with Capricorn. As a result, this house placement is strong.

If Jupiter is in the Tenth House, it’ll feel like your career falls into place effortlessly. People will instinctively trust you and respect what you do. However, Jupiter’s luck can come and go, so you might never know when your luck will run out. Keep working hard, so you take charge of your own destiny and avoid relying solely on your luck and charisma.

If Saturn is in the Tenth House, you’ll take on leadership roles. You might feel particularly drawn to roles where you get to take charge and help others grow. In both your work and personal life, people will describe you as slow and steady, with a strong ability to persevere through challenges.

If Uranus is in the Tenth House, you’ll do best in a career that gives you freedom. You might have a tough time dealing with people in authority, especially if you don’t agree with them. That shouldn’t be a problem for you, though, since Uranus helps you recognize that there’s more to life than just work. Plus, you’ve got a strong sense of yourself—even if other people might find you odd or unconventional.

If Neptune is in the Tenth House, you’ll thrive in a career that puts people first. Intuition is the keyword here, since you’ve got a soft, caring side and can immediately read the room. This placement is especially great if you’re dreaming of fame and a life in the public eye. People will resonate with you and feel connected to you.

If Pluto is in the Tenth House, you might have a bumpy yet transformative path ahead. Pluto is the planet of upheaval and change. You might find yourself going down one career path, but an abrupt change may cause you to have to switch gears and begin again. Fortunately, Pluto’s changes will only stoke your ambition and set you up for success later in life.