A woman in a white top closes her eyes and concentrates, representing the 6th house in Astrology.

Your 6th House of Work and Health

The sixth house represents service, daily tasks, and your physical body.

What is the 6th house in Astrology? The 6th house rules our day-to-day jobs as well as the service we provide others. This area is focused on the small picture -- routines, chores, and all the little steps necessary to make big changes. Our physical, emotional, and mental health are all greatly influenced by this region. Improvement is the objective of the 6th house, and here, we put our egos aside to make ourselves useful to the world around us.

In a birth chart, the zodiac sign that falls in the 6th house and any planets that are in it can give us a better understanding of our own habits and the types of work environments that support our thriving. Knowing which planets are transiting our 6th house at any given moment can help us navigate challenges at our jobs and opportunities for healing.

6th House Themes

Work and Service
Daily Routine
Health and Well-Being
Habits
Tasks and Duties
Self-Improvement

6th House Meaning

After the ego is inflated in the 5th house, the balloon pops in the 6th house. This is the realm of humility, where we learn how to better ourselves and be of service to the whole.

This is the last of the personal houses before we move into the transpersonal. Here, you purge the self-centered disposition that began in the 1st house in order to enter relationships in the 7th. As a result, improvement is a key theme -- your drive to improve your own life as well as those of others. Information in this part of your birth chart describes your approach to service and how you help those around you.

Thus, your daily jobs are a big part of this arena. While the 10th house rules bigger career goals, the 6th house is about the hands-on work you do day in and day out. It rules ordinary duties, coworkers, projects, and workspaces. Additionally, it highlights the mundane activities that keep your life humming, like chores, errands, and to-do lists.

Another aspect of improvement is that of your own personal well-being. The 6th house rules healing matters, from diet and exercise patterns to mental and physical wellness. It describes the daily habits that contribute to your health, as well as your general approach to maintaining and purifying personal spaces.

When you need guidance on your path toward healing and self-improvement, the 6th house can provide the answers and understanding you need.

Planets in the 6th House

If you have any planets in the 6th house, you better get used to them! These planets shape your daily life, from your work environment to the health of your body.

Here’s how planets in the 6th house will impact your life. Not sure which planets are in your 6th house? Find out for FREE now with our Essential Birth Report »Find out now with our Essential Birth Report »

Sun: It’s possible your identity is closely attached to your work. Heck, you may even be a workaholic! Just don’t be so hard on yourself -- perfection is overrated.

Moon: You are a natural helper and find purpose in being of service. However, fixing things for others can become a distraction from your own feelings of not being good enough.

Mercury: With your meticulous mind and sharp attention to detail, nothing slips through the cracks. You could probably afford to let some of the little things go to ease your nervous tension.

Venus: Despite being somewhat pragmatic around love matters, you can be very attentive to your lover’s needs. Be mindful not to become too self-sacrificial with the ones you love.

Mars: You might be a bit of a perfectionist, but you know how to get the job done right. When you’re pouring all your energy into a job, make sure to put some aside for yourself.

Jupiter: A generous and compassionate spirit likely pervades you, which is valued in the workplace. At times you may not be able to see the forest for the trees, though.

Saturn: You take your job very seriously, possibly to the point of anxiety. Don't be such a worrywart. Be sure to let off physical stress and take care of your body.

Uranus: A nine-to-five is likely not your thing. Whatever you’re doing, you need a lot of freedom to do it. And when you do, you’re full of innovative ideas that can be of great help.

Neptune: A daydreamy air probably fills your days, making it difficult to follow a standard routine. If you are in a helping profession or caretaking role, be careful not to become a martyr.

Pluto: An intense self-analysis may constantly leave you feeling small or not good enough. Your soul is being asked to forgive your imperfections and have faith in the bigger picture.

Chiron: Early health problems can turn you into a hypochondriac as an adult, or you may have had to sacrifice your needs to take care of a loved one. Either way, it’s time to heal yourself.

North Node: Your empathetic past may be filled with blurry boundaries and unrealistic expectations. You’re here to learn discernment and mastery over what you let into your life.

South Node: Being a helper likely comes easily for you. However, patterns of worrying and overanalyzing don’t serve you any longer. Learn to trust yourself and your divine plan.

Transits in the 6th House

It's hard to ignore a planet that's transiting your 6th house. You likely feel it on a daily basis. Still, your experience will depend on which planet is transiting and how it relates to the rest of your chart.

Practical planets like Mercury and Saturn transiting the 6th house could help you get organized and stay on top of things, while other planets can reveal a more sensitive side to our affairs. For instance, the Moon transiting your 6th house brings your feelings to the surface. In these moments, you may want to feel capable and useful, but you could become overwhelmed with self-criticism. On the other hand, loving Venus transiting the 6th house might bring a practical attitude to your romantic affairs.

After the work-focused 6th house comes the 7th house and the beginning of the second half of your birth chart. Read more about the 7th house to discover its crucial role in your relationships!