What Is the Fourth House in Astrology? Interpreting Your Fourth House

Written by Stina Garbis | Edited by Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: March 11, 2024 Fact Checked

Curious about the Fourth House? Known as the house of home and family, this house represents all things domestic (like your physical shelter, family life, and ancestry). If you'd like to learn more, this article has everything you need to know. We'll walk you through what the Fourth House symbolizes in astrology, what planet and sign rule it, and how it affects you.

This article is based on an interview with our psychic astrologer, Stina Garbis, owner of Psychic Stina. Check out the full interview here.

Section 1 of 4:

What is the Fourth House in astrology?

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The Fourth House is the House of Home and Family. Expert psychic astrologer Stina Garbis explains that "the Fourth House is where you will find matters regarding your home, what it looks like, and how you envision your house to be. It also represents your relationship to the family that dwells inside the house." The Fourth House symbolizes your ancestry, maternal or caregiving figures in your life, and tradition. This House encourages you to discover what makes you feel at home, including what you need to feel safe and at peace. ^{[1]
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- The Fourth House also represents endings (as in, where you will be laid to rest), children and parenting, and real estate.
- The Fourth House is located at the base of the zodiac wheel.

Section 2 of 4:

What rules the Fourth House?

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The moon rules the Fourth House. In astrology, the moon represents what you need to feel comfortable and safe. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} The moon's influence over the Fourth House encourages you to find what makes you feel at peace in your domestic life. This includes grounding traditions (like spiritual or cultural customs passed down through your family), self-care routines, and the way that you keep your home. ^{[3]
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- The moon calls you to recognize what kind of living situation you prefer. Do you feel the most at peace when you live alone or with family or roommates?
- The moon asks you to reflect on your personal needs regarding self-care. You might realize you need to meditate each night to fall asleep soundly, for example.
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Cancer also rules the Fourth House. Cancer is an emotionally sensitive and intuitive sign. Its rule over the Fourth House calls you to recognize your own emotional needs (like what communication style works for you in relationships, for instance). Cancers usually place a high value on their relationships with family and close friends. Its influence on the Fourth House motivates you to reflect on your familial bonds and early experiences with your family that may still be impacting you. ^{[4]
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- Cancers often possess remarkable intuition. This influences the Fourth House by guiding you to trust your instincts and know what you need to feel safe in your home life.
- Cancer's influence might encourage you to reflect upon traditions that have been passed down in your family and how you can incorporate those in your life now.

Section 3 of 4:

How does the Fourth House affect me?

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That depends on where the Fourth House is positioned in your birth chart. Though each house may have a general ruler (like Cancer), the sign that rules it in your own birth chart depends on the placement of the planets and stars when you were born. By finding out what sign rules the Fourth House in your chart, you can learn more about its influence on your life. To find the Fourth House's location in your birth chart, search online for a free birth chart calculator.
- For a complete birth chart reading, you'll need to enter your exact birth time and birth city (the city in which you were born). ^{[5]
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Section 4 of 4:

Zodiac Signs in the Fourth House

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You possess a fiery and unyielding spirit. In order to thrive, you need a home life in which you are free to speak your mind. ^{[6]
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Expert Source

Stina Garbis
Psychic Astrologer

Expert Interview. 10 December 2021.} Make your home a place where opinions can be shared freely and respectfully, and be sure to allow other people the ability to voice their feelings, too. That way, you'll avoid feeling stifled or tied down by domestic life. ^{[7]
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Your sign is ruled by Venus, which makes you appreciate beauty in your home life more than other signs. Decorate your living space in a way that you find beautiful, whether that be with flowers, paintings, or magazine cutouts. You'll feel grounded and safe in a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing living environment.
Unlike other signs, you're capable of feeling at home no matter where you reside. In fact, you may benefit from changing up your living situation often. Consider redecorating often if you're happy with where you are. If you'd like a change, you might try living with new roommates or moving in with your partner if you're ready to take that step.
You care deeply about your family and the people close to you. Allow for plenty of time to see your family (or chosen family) in your schedule, but remember to take care of yourself, too. You'll only have the energy to take care of others if you rest and get some space for yourself.
You possess a generous and open heart. You'll feel most comfortable at home if you surround yourself with family, friends, and even possessions that make you happy. Throw parties at your home when you can, invite friends over for movie nights, and decorate your home with art, plants, and knick-knacks that bring you joy. ^{[8]
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Expert Source

Stina Garbis
Psychic Astrologer

Expert Interview. 10 December 2021.}
You thrive with a consistent, predictable routine. This isn't just because you like to get things done; you also need it to quiet your mind. To keep your thoughts centered and calm, keep your house clean and organized. It'll help you relax and avoid stress in your day-to-day life. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Stina Garbis
Psychic Astrologer

Expert Interview. 10 December 2021.}
Your sign is symbolized by a set of scales, and that's because you value harmony and balance. It's important for you to have both in your home life, and you can achieve that by allowing everyone in your family room to be themselves and voice their personal needs. Just make sure you don't value others' needs at the expense of your own. It's okay to set boundaries and even disagree with your loved ones sometimes.
You possess remarkable emotional strength, and you're capable of defending yourself and making a safe home for yourself no matter what. You may benefit from realizing that it's okay to let people in and share your home with others. That might look like inviting a new friend over after you've begun to trust them or even one day sharing a home with a partner.
Your sign is associated with wanderlust, even when it is in the Fourth House. You'll feel most at home in an ever-changing environment, whether that be a life of travel or a month-to-month lease. If you're happy where you are but still desire to see the world, try spending time in nature and reading illuminating literature and philosophy.
You keep an organized, stable household (and thrive in comfortable and quiet domestic spaces). Your calm presence at home and in your family is grounding to everyone around you. Just make sure that you don't get too invested in having a perfect home or family. Every home, no matter how stable, might experience some ups and downs. It's best to embrace those moments instead of resisting them.
Your freethinking and independent nature can be at odds with domestic life at times. For you to feel at home, you actually need a degree of freedom to do your own thing and rebel. Dedicate yourself to humanitarian pursuits so that you can put your rebellious spirit to good use, and change up your living environment often to satisfy your need for change. ^{[10]
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You possess deep emotions, and you likely do a lot for your family and friends. To feel at peace in your home life, take time to privately reflect on your feelings each day. You might benefit from cultivating a space that's all your own in your living environment, even if you live with roommates, family, or a partner.