About the Tenth House

The Tenth House: ProfessionWhat is the 10th House?
In the House 9 Makeover, we covered your compassion and grace. Now,House 10 covers primarily your professional life and other 10th House indicators such as community service, “name and fame, “achievement, honor and recognition.Signs, on the other hand, are filters that color how the Houses and Planets behave. This article will cover the sign of Capricorn, which is considered the natural 10th House of the Zodiac. That means that the sign of Capricorn naturally colors things in line with the qualities of the 10th House.

Let us begin by covering the general significators of the 10th House and what they influence in your life. Then in the 2nd week, we show you how to examine your own chart (and others) and find which planets are influencing your 10th House. As we progress through the final 2 weeks, you will be guided through a powerful meditation and transformation workshop that will enable you to optimize your career success. Your own personal 10th House is the subject of the next article.

General Characteristics of the 10th House
The Tenth House is known as the house of “Profession”. It is the last artha, or wealth house. The 2nd House is the first artha house, indicating the sources of wealth (family, personal worth). The 6th House of work and service indicates how wealth is earned and what must be overcome in the process, culminating in the 10th House by what is gained by the fruits of one’s labors. It is the house of business, “name and fame”, success in life, political power, wealth, honor, foreign travel, financial status, government service, place of residence, and karma of the soul being drawn to its final destination.While it is called the “Profession” house, it is by no means the only place in the chart to examine career issues. (The rising sign and its lord and Mercury are other key indicators for profession.) It is the house where effects of career effort are indicated: the achievements and recognitions gained through career efforts. Indicated here are the channels through which past karma leads the individual to the future, how our karmic past colors our future. It shows the power and position we are able to attain. It indicates worldly, political and social power and prestige. Generally speaking, all Planets do well here as it is the most powerful house in the chart, being the highest point in the chart, where the Sun is highest in the mid-heaven (opposite the 4th House which is the lowest point in the chart below the horizon).It is the house of the father (their legacy and mark on the world), foreign travel, financial status and place of residence. Physically, it is related to the knees.

Characteristics of Capricorn, the Natural 10th House
Capricorn, Makara , is the 10th sign in the zodiac, an earth sign, and the natural 10th house. Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn, giving its qualities to the 10th use as well. Capricorn is considered perhaps the holiest of signs. Capricorn has been the rising sign to many great heroes, saviors and avatars. It has been associated with the Tropic of Cancer, considered the seat of the guardians of the earth plane, who point the world to her spiritual destiny. It represents the Winter Solstice, the time of new birth.

Capricorn activates the process of transforming individual consciousness to universal consciousness, a process which can be uncomfortable in the material and emotional sense, but which promises ultimate spiritual fulfillment. Under Capricorn’s influence, past karma becomes activated. Dissolution of traditional values occurs. (Cancer, its opposite sign, is concerned with maintaining of traditions.) Capricorn sets in motion the disillusionment of the old for transformation. This allows re-creation of the individual in fulfillment of their spiritual destiny.

Capricorns are hardworking, tenacious, and have the potential for great achievements. They overcome many obstacles and can range from small town farmers to a hard-nosed businessperson, although they also incline towards science, math and technology. They can be rather rigid, conventional, dogmatic and serious, and benefit from the practice of surrender and humor.

Saturn as the Ruler of the Natural 10th House
Saturn is the great purifier, associated with Yama, the god of death. Saturn is the great denier for dissolution of the illusion of the material world. He is the initiator of spiritual purification and illumination, abnegating worldly identifications and attachments. Saturn deprives the mind of life’s usual joys. He creates obstacles, blocks initiatives as well as the force behind personal drive. He is the great contractor (to Jupiter the great expander), dampening efforts and drawing inward to the truth of the Self. Saturn casts a shadow over the created world and activates karma for retribution, whether good or difficult. Saturn is associated with persistence, asceticism, concentration. Coming under Saturn’s influence in some way calls for surrender of the ego self.

Saturn is the great “task master” and is associated with hard work, discipline and service. As such, he represents land and fixed assets. He represents the laborer, dark and hidden places, disease and death. He causes delay, melancholy and deprivation. Saturn represents the dark aspects of the mind: crime, perversion and the underworld. He creates separation from loved ones and bestows grief.

That said, a strong Saturn is necessary for spiritual attainment. It is the great significator of fate. Saturn becomes exalted in Libra and debilitated in Aries. An excellent book to read so as to deepen appreciation and respect for Saturn is The Greatness of Saturn: A Therapeutic Myth by Robert Svoboda.

Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, as Significators of the 10th House
As the planetary karaka for fame and prestige, Surya the Sun becomes a significator for the 10th House. The Sun represents spiritual authority and the kinds of values and authority that governs our lives. Ultimately, the Sun takes us beyond individual identity to be the Divine Light. The Sun represents courage, physical strength and stamina, the father, king, high status, traveling, mental purity, fire, anger, hostility, leadership, physician, enlightenment.

Mercury is a planetary karaka for profession and brings its profession indicators to bear: business, speaking, teaching, writing, academia, ministry, healing, crafts work.

As the other significator for profession, Jupiter also colors the 10th House through its influences: higher or spiritual knowledge, the husband, spiritual preceptor, and minister to kings, money and good luck.

Planets Placed in Capricorn
Mars is exalted in Capricorn. Jupiter is debilitated in Capricorn.

Remember that when assessing a chart, multiple factors must be taken into consideration. No one effect, such as planetary position in a Sign or House, will be the sole indicator of fortunes and influences. In general, one must assess the strength of the house, its indicator, and its lord and occupants, as well as other planetary influences and the Dasha and Bukti you are running. The following are general indications for when a particular Planet is posited in the sign of Capricorn.

Sun in Capricorn
Very ambitious, adept, independent, strong character, love of justice, self-reliance. This placement gives practical talents and organizational abilities as well as sympathy to the downtrodden. Can do very well in business and use some of the profits for helping others.

Moon in Capricorn
Musical, religious, artistic, eloquent speaker, poet, courageous, beautiful, deals with the public (either popularity or notoriety), can experience both rise and fall in work. Cautious, conservative with money, can be insensitive to other’s feelings. Strong leadership capacity. Prefers to think things out slowly and patiently wait for the right moment.

Mercury in Capricorn
Prominent, measure of renown, with an occupation related to Gemini and Virgo. Diplomatic, influential, cautious, serious-minded, inclined to mysticism. If afflicted, ill temper, cunning, duplicity. Good potential to embark on a spiritual path after reading or hearing from enlightened persons. Analytical abilities with systematic approach.

Venus in Capricorn
Popular, favored by elders (e.g. employers), good for commerce success, career dealing with the public in management position. Gains can come through earth element (e.g. precious stones). Marriage delayed, partner from different class. Has ability to learn subtle sciences.

Mars in Capricorn
Mars is exalted here. This placement brings energy and the ability to work long hours in a selfless mood. The individual is ambitious, passionate, geared towards public life, prominent, position of authority, If afflicted, quick temper, overly passionate. Can bring some marital turmoil. Brings potential for real estate, mathematics, surgical fields, athletics, warfare and other areas ruled by Mars. In past lives, the individual has done sacrifice and spiritual service. Brings good friends.

Jupiter in Capricorn
Jupiter is debilitated here. The individual is more serious (a dampened Jupiter). Strong for career success, especially in areas dealing with the public or managing others. Good for legacy from father or other elders. Brings power, esteem, popularity, inclined towards philosophy or religious learning, often unconventional.

Saturn in Capricorn
Saturn is in its own sign here. Great sense of self, and personal and soul power, authority, mastery, independence, ambition, sometimes selfishness or loneliness. Strong perseverance and ability to concentrate. Brings caring about the suffering of others. May reside away from birthplace. Success in production of earthy goods.

Now that we have understood some of the characteristics of 10th House, the Sign of Capricorn, and the Planets that it favors, test your knowledge with the quiz below!

Take our Tenth House quiz >>