Interpreting Empty Houses in the Natal Chart

Interpreting Empty Houses in the Natal Chart 

What is an Empty House?

When a person has their Natal, or Birth, Chart, drawn up they often get excited to see what signs the planets occupy. However, the more they learn about Astrology they sometimes become concerned about the empty houses in their chart. A house is said to be empty when it is not occupied by any planets (including Chiron, and the Nodes of the Moon).  With 10 planets and 12 signs every person will have at least two empty houses in their Birth Chart. 

What Does it Mean to Have an Empty House?

Some people fear that an empty house means that there will be a lack of development in the area of life governed by that house. For instance, if their 7th house is empty they may fear that they will never be married of have a significant relationship; or if their 5th house is empty, they may fear that they will never have children. Simply stated, this is not the case. 

Those Astrologers who believe in reincarnation believe that the issues and areas of life governed by the empty house were dealt with in a past life and so there is very little, if any, karma that needs to be balanced in the present one. Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, empty houses are often thought to be areas of ease in one's life where you will face few challenges and have little difficulty in succeeding. For example, an empty second house may mean that you are not burdened with a fear of poverty and that you make money with ease. 

How to Interpret Empty Houses 

There are two approaches when it comes to interpreting empty houses. First you look to the sign on the cusp of the house.  That sign will color your approach to the activities of that house. For example if you have Pisces in the 5th House and your 5th house is empty you might say that your approach to love is both imaginative and emotional and that you likely have a rich fantasy life when it comes to love. In reality, however, you may have a tendency to epitomize your lover or anyone you are interested in, seeing them as you wish them to be rather than as who they actually are. In addition, Pisces in the 5th house also gives you the ability to channel your imagination through your creativity through some form of art such as drawing, painting, or music. 

The second thing you would look at is the planet that rules the sign in the empty house. This is called the ruler of the house. Each planet rules at least one sign and some planets rule two. The signs and the planets that rule them are as follows:

• Aries- Mars
• Taurus- Venus
• Gemini- Mercury
• Cancer- The Moon
• Leo- The Sun
• Virgo- Mercury
• Libra- Venus
• Scorpio- Mars / Pluto 
• Sagittarius- Jupiter 
• Capricorn- Saturn 
• Aquarius- Saturn / Uranus 
• Pisces- Jupiter / Neptune

The activities represented by the house that the ruler occupies can become intertwined with the activities of the empty house. For example, as in the above example of Pisces in the 5th House. Pisces is ruled by both Jupiter (ancient ruler) and Neptune (modern ruler). For the purpose of this example, I will focus on Neptune. Now let us suppose that Neptune is in the second house.  

To begin our interpretation let us list what these houses represent. 

• Second House- money, material things, possessions, values, security, resources, self-worth, how you make money. 
• Fifth House- self-expression, creativity, pleasure, what you love, hobbies, talents, and need for attention. 

When the activities of these two houses blend you might say that "you find creative ways to make money. Your hobbies are a mean to make money. Fun and relaxation come through financial stability. You take risks with your money, such as gambling or making risky purchases. Being creative and being recognized for your creations makes you feel good about yourself."

These are just a few interpretations of this placement. Next, you can put your earlier description from above together with this one and then refine your interpretation. For example. 

Pisces in the 5th House / Neptune in the Second 

"An empty 5th house indicates an ease at expressing yourself in creative ways and connecting romantically with others. Your approach to love is both imaginative and emotional and you likely have a rich fantasy life when it comes to love. However, you may have a tendency to epitomize your lover or anyone you are interested in, seeing them as you wish them to be rather than as who they actually are. You have the ability to channel your imagination in creative ways such as art, drawing, painting, dancing, or music, etc... Being creative and being recognized for your creations makes you feel good about yourself. Though they may be only hobbies to you, they are a creative way to make more money for yourself. You like to use your money for your hobbies and other past times they you consider fun. You take risks with your money, such as gambling or making risky purchases."

What houses are empty in your Birth Chart and what does this say about you.