The Fourth House in Traditional Astrology: Home and Hearth

Image by: Samantha Hammer

In Hellenistic astrology, the fourth house is primarily associated with themes of home, family lineage, ancestry, and the psychological underpinnings that shape our identity. It represents the most intimate sphere of a person’s life, distinct in its opposing significations to the public identity of the tenth house (aka Midheaven). However, they do influence each other greatly because...#AsAboveSoBelow.

At its core, the fourth house symbolizes the concept of home—not merely as a physical dwelling but as a psychological and emotional sanctuary. It represents our ancestry and familial patterns. The state of the fourth house can say a lot about the influence of our upbringing and early childhood experiences. The fourth house speaks to our need for security, comfort, and emotional nurturing, shaping our sense of belonging and identity in a way that encourages introspection and self-awareness. 

Also, I have to mention a quick shout out to my teacher, Austin Coppock, who once said, “The fourth house is where the decisions made generations before you were born reside.” As he said it,  I was all but thunderstruck. I felt as though I had never truly understood the fourth house at its fundamental core till that statement was made… but maybe that’s just because I’m packing a Pluto in Scorpio 4H. 

Astrologically, the fourth house is also associated with our ancestral lineage and inherited traits. It encapsulates the cultural traditions, family customs, and values passed down through generations, which continue to influence our beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes. Understanding the dynamics within the fourth house can offer insights into patterns of behavior and emotional responses that may be rooted in familial influences.

The fourth house can hold the state in which our vulnerabilities and sense of emotional security lay. It reveals how we express and process our emotions within the context of our family dynamics and personal relationships. Planetary placements within the fourth house can indicate the nature of our emotional experiences and what forms them—whether we seek emotional closeness and intimacy, prioritize stability and comfort, or navigate challenges related to our familial ties. Ultimately, the fourth house is the sphere to which one returns each day to retreat in private, away from the world physically, mentally, and spiritually.