The House of Service
♍ Natural sign: Virgo · Ruled by Mercury
Health, work, daily routines, service, pets
The sixth house is traditionally considered a difficult house — one of the "bad" houses in Hellenistic astrology, associated with illness, servitude, and enemies. Modern astrology has softened this, reframing the sixth house as the house of health, daily work, and service. Both interpretations contain truth.
This is the house of labor that is necessary but not glamorous. Not the career (tenth house) but the daily job. Not the creative expression (fifth house) but the craft and discipline required to turn talent into skill. The sixth house is where you show up every day and do the work, whether or not anyone notices or applauds.
Health is a primary sixth house concern. The sign on the cusp and planets here describe your health patterns, vulnerabilities, and relationship with your body as a system that requires maintenance. An afflicted sixth house can indicate chronic health issues or a complicated relationship with wellness. A strong sixth house often produces people who are knowledgeable about health and committed to maintaining it.
Pets and small animals are traditional sixth house significations — creatures that serve us or that we serve. In modern practice, the sixth house describes your relationship with routine and the small, repetitive acts of care that sustain daily life: feeding the animals, cleaning the house, taking your vitamins, going to work.
Planets in the 6th House
Planets in the sixth house focus energy on work, health, and daily routines. Mercury here is in its natural domain, producing efficient, detail-oriented workers. Mars can indicate workplace conflict or an injury-prone constitution. Neptune here can create confusion about health or idealistic service.
Empty 6th House
An empty sixth house means health and daily work are not major life themes — which is often a good thing. Look to the ruler for more information about your work habits and health patterns.