Each individual birth chart often has planets or zodiac signs placed within these houses based on your date, time, and place of birth. These placements reveal what your focus or work will be in this lifetime and the traits influence that area of your life.
Sometimes, however, you can find empty houses in astrology.
This can be worrying and lead the native to wonder what this means for that area of their life.
Effects of empty houses in the natal chart
When you first run your natal chart calculation and discover that some of the houses in your natal chart are empty, you may feel that something is wrong. However, it just means that it’s not an area you’ll have to focus on as much.
An empty house in astrology is simply saying that it is not an area of your life that you will have to worry about.
first empty house
The first house is the house of self. When this house is empty, it means that you won’t face many significant challenges in developing your sense of identity. With this empty house, it means that you will be largely satisfied with who you are.
empty second house
The second house, the house of value, represents what and who you value, especially when it comes to finances and material things. An empty second house does not mean that you will not acquire wealth, but that you will not concentrate on it. It means, in many ways, that you will always have exactly what you need.
empty third house
If your third house, the house of communication, is empty, you will have strong communication skills. You won’t have to struggle with how to express yourself or advocate for your needs. Connections will be easier for you.
empty fourth house
The fourth house is the house of family and home and represents your roots, your family and your home atmosphere. When this house is empty, it means that you probably came from a stable and secure childhood home and can effortlessly create one now. It is not an area where you will struggle.
empty fifth house
You don’t have to worry about expressing your truth if this house is empty. While the fifth house, the house of pleasure, governs your sense of expression, authenticity, and creativity, the lack of planets here does not indicate an absence of pleasure in life. Instead, it means that you will not have to work on these qualities within your life.
empty sixth house
The sixth house is the house of health. This is considered one of the most negative houses in astrology, so having no planets here is an extremely positive thing, as it means you are not likely to have any significant health issues. You will be able to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle and make decisions and choices that support the balanced life you want to create.
empty seventh house
In the case of the seventh house, the house of partnerships, being empty, can often scare you that you will never get married or have a successful relationship. But it actually means the opposite. Chances are you’ll always be in an attractive relationship and don’t feel like it’s hard to do it. You may also prefer long-term, stable relationships over shorter flings.
empty eighth house
The eighth house in astrology represents death, birth, sex, inheritance, and transformation. An empty house in the natal chart does not mean that your life will be short or that you will not have sex, quite the contrary.
This is another of the more negative houses in astrology, so the absence of planets here is a positive. Otherwise, it could present itself as serious problems for you in life.
empty ninth house
When you have an empty ninth house, the house of philosophy, it means that topics related to spirituality, travel, and higher education are not a main focus in your life. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be spiritual or enjoy the holidays, but that all of these things will just happen for you instead of you feeling like you have to fight for them.
empty tenth house
The tenth house is the house of social status. While it rules your career, it also represents how others see you. This is your social reputation and career path and where your Midheaven sign lies.
When you have an absence of planets in this house, it just means that you won’t have to work harder to be successful professionally or be seen in a positive light by your peers. It is something that will come naturally to you.
House 11 empty
An absence of planets in your 11th house, the house of friendships, means that friends and connections with others come easily to you. You likely have no problem meeting new people and tend to always be around others, whether it’s relaxing or enjoying a night out. These connections come easily to you, which helps you always feel connected and supported.
House 12 empty
The 12th house is the house of the subconscious. This is probably the most dangerous house for planets to have because it can represent issues like addiction and mental health disorders.
If this house is empty for you, it just means that you are probably healthy consciously and unconsciously. You can find joy in life and not let the hard times overwhelm you.
With the twelfth house empty, it actually means that you will probably live a better life.
How to find meaning in empty houses in astrology
Ironically, in many ways, having an empty house in astrology means that what the house represents will be easier for you.
It shows an area of your life that will not have to be a main focus or present many challenges, probably because it was in your past life.
Even though your natal chart may have empty houses, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on in that house.
Each planet rules a particular house, so even if your house is empty, you can look at where the ruling planet of that house is to see perhaps how that area of your life might play out.
- rulers of the house
- 1st House: Mars, Aries
- Houses 2 and 7: Venus, Taurus, Libra
- Houses 3 and 6: Mercury, Gemini, Virgo
- 4th house: Moon, Cancer
- 5th house: Sun, Leo
- 8th House: Scorpio, Pluto
- 9th House: Jupiter, Sagittarius
- 10th House: Saturn, Capricorn
- 11th House: Uranus, Aquarius
- 12th House: Neptune, Pisces
This means that if a house is empty in your natal chart, the ruling planet and sign of that house will continue to affect that area of your life. Having an empty house just means that it is not a great area of work or focus in your life.
Although the planets in your birth chart never change, the heavens and the stars always move and rotate. Because of this, there are also transiting planets that will sometimes fall into your empty house, bringing a sense of direction or abundance to that area of your life.
This means that when there are planetary transits (such as when Venus enters the 3rd house), even if your 3rd house is empty, during the transit of Venus through that house it will actually influence that area of your life.
So many things in astrology are fluid, which means that while having an empty house isn’t a negative, it also doesn’t mean the planets will never affect you.
Astrology shows us that there is always a way to be better.