Need Some Career Inspo? Just Look At The 10th House Of Your Birth Chart

If you've explored your astrological birth chart, you probably know your sun sign, and maybe even your rising sign. But when it comes to career and pubic image, there's another part of your birth chart you don't want to miss: the 10th house.

As a refresher, your birth chart will display 12 individual houses that govern particular areas and themes of your life. The first house, for example, deals with identity and beginnings, while the 12th house deals with releasing and endings.

Your first house, like your rising (or ascendant) sign, is determined by where the sun was rising over the eastern horizon the moment you were born. From there, other planetary placements are determined.

The 10th house, located at the very top of the chart, is the most visible and public area of the zodiac. Things like traditions and institutional structures are ruled by the 10th house, as well as the legacy we're meant to leave in this world. This is the world's stage and how we're seen, our status and leadership.

It's also about honors, achievements, fame, public reputation, as well as authorities, fathers, and fatherhood. The ruling sign of the 10th house cusp is also called the midheaven, and it can give astrologers a sense about your career path.

The midheaven is symbolized on your birth chart by "MC," which stands for Medium Coeli (or "middle of heaven"), and as astrologer Molly Pennington Ph.D. previously told mindbodygreen, understanding yours can clue you into what kind of reputation you're really meant to leave behind.

Aries is a cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars. According to Pennington, this 10th house placement makes for someone who really likes to take initiative professionally.

Taurus is a fixed Earth sign ruled by Venus. Being the planet of beauty and pleasure, those are important themes when thinking about the 10th house in Taurus, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi explains. "If you're a Taurus midheaven it's really important to have a value-based career—and also relate to beauty as well," she notes.

Gemini is a mutable air sign ruled by Mercury. Pennington notes the name of the game for these folks is both variety and communication in their careers. Technology and media will also appeal to this placement, she adds.

Cancer is a cardinal water sign, and it's the only sign ruled by the moon, which deals with emotions. As such, according to Pennington, those with a Cancer 10th house will likely be attracted to careers in which they can nurture or be caregivers. And this can look like a lot of different jobs or paths, but one in which they can empathize and do something with heart behind it is ideal.

Leo is a fixed fire sign, and the only sign ruled by the Sun. When thinking about a Leo-ruled 10th house, think big, bold, and shiny—just like the Sun that rules it. "These people are truly here to shine in their profession and in their life—to own their identity, be a leader, and uplift others," Racioppi says.

Virgo is a mutable Earth sign, and is the other sign (along with Gemini) ruled by Mercury. "It's a different version of Mercury than Gemini," Racioppi explains, adding, "Gemini is about communication, while Virgo is about distilling information at its most refined. As a 10th house Virgo, you're best at really amplifying your ability to work in details of precision and strategy."

Libra is a cardinal air sign, and the other sign (along with Taurus) ruled by Venus. But where Taurus is more concerned with beauty, pleasure, and sensuality, Libra relates to the side of Venus that's about justice, fairness, and balance. "It's the version of Venus that's gonna fight for the underdog," as Racioppi puts it.

Scorpio is a fixed water sign ruled by Pluto in modern astrology and Mars in ancient astrology. Pennington notes that, as a sign, Scorpio isn't afraid to dive into the depths and explore the darker sides of life, and a Scorpio 10th house will reflect this.

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign ruled by Jupiter. According to Pennington, this is a sign that loves to philosophize, travel, explore, and expand—so any career involving those things is a good fit. "There's an optimism with Sagittarius as well," she notes, adding, jobs where you can keep exploring new themes and new ideas are ideal.

Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn, the same planet that rules the 10th house. According to Racioppi, when you think Saturn, think hard work and discipline—which is what you'll get with a Capricorn-ruled 10th house.

Aquarius is a fixed air sign ruled by Uranus. Pennington explains this placement can lend itself to a variety of fields, from tech, to research, to even politics or community organization. This is a future-oriented and humanity-oriented placement, so those are the kinds of careers best suited for an Aquarius-ruled 10th house. The energy of this sign is almost always unconventional, too, which is worth keeping in mind.

Last but never least, we have Pisces, a mutable water sign ruled by Neptune. "These are artists, feelers, mystics, or dreamers," Racioppi explains, adding, "Pisces on the midheaven is a deep invitation to express and truly love—accessing love and being a conduit for that."