The 4th house of astrology governs the home, roots and origin, domestic life, and parental figures.
Read more about the 4th house of astrology, also known as the House of the Family and Home.
Recommended reading: Understand the houses of astrology. Read this post that explains the 12 houses of astrology.
Keywords:
- Home
- Domestic life
- Parents
- Roots
- Places of origin
The House of Family and the Home
The 4th house, ruled by Cancer which is naturally ruled by the moon, governs the home. Here, all aspects that fall within the notion of ‘home’ are concerned, such as family, one’s sense of security, roots and origins, and parental figures.
The cusp of the 4th house is also called the nadir or Imum Coeli (often abbreviated to I.C.). In the natal chart, this is the bottom-most part of the chart. At the time of birth, this would have been the space directly below someone.
Along with the cusp of the 1st house (the ascendant), 7th house (the descendant) and 10th house (Midheaven), the Immum Coeli at the cusp of the 4th house make up the four angular houses.
Key points of the 4th house:
- Represents: Home, roots, family, parent
- Corresponding Zodiac sign: Cancer
- Ruling celestial body: The Moon
- Classification: Angular
Home
The 4th house of astrology is primarily concerned with the home and everything associated with it. This includes the actual physical home, foundation and land of both one’s childhood home and current home. It also includes one’s roots, foundations and one’s inner sense of security.
Beyond the bricks of a house itself, the concept of home delves much deeper, and aspects of family, childhood, caregiver relationships, and so on are indicated.
While the 4th house reveals about one’s childhood home, current home and immediate domestic set up, it also can indicate aspects of the home and family life one may wish to create someday.
When planets transit through the 4th house, one’s home life and foundations will be in focus.
Roots, origins and security
The 4th house also lends information about one’s roots and origins. It can shed light on how we feel about our early foundation constructs.
The 4th house of astrology also gives information about our instinctive behaviour, genealogy and ancestry. It may also indicate material items or possessions passed down from generations.
Parents
While the 4th house is concerned with parents, there are various arguments for which parent in particular. Experts can’t seem to agree whether the 4th house is more closely linked to either the mother or father.
The natural ruling planet of both Cancer and the 4th house is the Moon. The moon is often concerned with the subconscious, emotions, intuition, feminine energy and the Divine Mother. With this link to feminine energy, it would seem that the mother or maternal figure could be a closer fit.
Another angle to consider is that the 4th house governs an individual’s youth. With this, it is possible that the parent that is more significant during the early youth phase is represented by the 4th house. In the majority of cases, this would be the mother. Sometimes, when parental figures aren’t present in an individual’s life, the 4th house could represent the grandparents.
Finally, the 4th house and the sign of Cancer have strong ties to the concept of security, particularly emotional security. A child’s parents are largely responsible for creating a sense of security in a person.
Based on the planets present in the 4th house of the natal chart, an astrologer can determine how one sees and relates to their parents. More information regarding one’s parents can be revealed in the 10th house.
Consciousness
The 4th house is one of four key areas in a chart. Together with the 1st, 7th and 10th house, the 4th house is one of the angular houses. Planets placed in the angular houses have extra significance and can often indicate karmic lessons.
The cusp of the 4th house is the Imum Coeli (I.C.). The Imum Coeli is the lowest part of the chart, literally seen as a straight line drawn from the centre to the bottom of the chart.
At the base of the chart, the Imum Coeli and the 4th house represent things that are below the surface of the Earth. Here, elements of the conscious, subconscious and hidden mysteries can be revealed.
With its connection to the Imum Coeli at the base of the chart, the 4th house is connected to the base or foundation of one’s Self, and is believed to link closely with end of life, rebirth and reincarnation. If you believe in reincarnation, matters of past lives, karma, and karmic baggage can be revealed in the 4th house.
Do you have planets in the 4th house? Do you know which planets these are? If you missed the previous posts, check out the write-ups on the 1st house, 2nd house and 3rd house.
If you have any questions or comments, share them below!