The 10th house is naturally ruled by Capricorn; the sign on the cusp and the planets inside offer insights into our parental figure. The 10th house also governs our career & reputation. We can look at the planets in the 10th house for indicators as to what we are known for. The 10th house is the most elevated part of the chart making this very visible to everyone
For Example:
I have Sagittarius on the 10th house cusp; Sagittarius is associated with distant places and my Father was from another country. I have Neptune conjunct my Midheaven; my Father struggled with addiction issues. With Neptune being placed in the 10th house I am known for my spiritual pursuits. Neptune in the 10th is a layered placement that often comes with scandals and a lot of projection from other people; but in the interest of saving time I will leave it at that.
Dane Rudhyar writes in his book The Astrological Houses The Spectrum of Individual Experience; “The 10th house is the house of achievement”
Paul Wade states in Be Your Own Astrologer “This house shows your place in society, your social status and the regard that others have for your achievements. It relates to your aims, to your worldly ambitions and often your career aspirations”
Please note when doing an interpretation we always consider the entire chart; that includes aspects to the angles and planets. Also a house is never empty; you always have a sign on the cusp. Every house has a ruling planet if you follow the ruling planet you will find additional insights.
Sun in the 10th house takes on Capricorn traits these are individuals that want to climb the ladder of success and are very career oriented. The Father figure may be very influential in the child’s development. Anytime we have placements in the 10th house it is difficult to remain unseen; the Sun is no exception. You are the type of person that gets noticed and you may be drawn to professions involving authority. A lot of ego involvement may be present or linked to how others see you.
Some famous people with Sun in the 10th house: Vanessa Williams, Tom Brady, Dr Dre, Denise Richards, Marvin Gaye, Donald Trump, Christina Aguilera and Tyga,
Moon in the 10th house takes on a Capricorn Moon vibe. This placement is emotionally attached to how people see them. They may come before the public in some capacity; this can mean anything from a Real Estate Agent to a famous author to some other fame related position. The Moon is associated with the general public. This person may also go into a family owed business and the reputation will likely be subject to many ups and downs. Wherever the Moon is placed in the Natal Chart and whatever house holds Cancer on the cusp we experience fluctuation. A person with this placement that dates women will ultimately want to settle down with a woman that enhances or fits in with his or her reputation and career goals.
Some famous people with Moon in the 10th house: Naomi Campbell, David Beckham, Frida, Stevie Nicks, Meryl Streep, Tina Turner, Javier Bardem, and Michael B. Jordan
Mercury in the 10th house indicates a lot of communication will be a part of your career path perhaps in the form of public speaking. This placement is rather wide in terms of career scopes suggesting anything from Communications Director to answering the phone in a call center to being a research analyst or an entertainer. As always the ENTIRE chart must be considered.
Some famous people with Mercury in the 10th house: Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Depp, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, Edward Norton, Virginia Woolf, George Carlin, and Ashanti
Venus in the 10th house can suggest finding love at work; similar to the Moon if you date women settling down with someone that enhances your reputation and fits in with your life goals is indicated. Venus is considered a “Benefic” in astrology this placement can suggest a likable and favorable reputation unless undignified. The individual may be known for who they marry; this placement can also suggest working in a beauty related or artistic field.
Some famous people with Venus in the 10th house: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Tom Hanks, Warren Buffett, Lorde, Mitt Romney, Henry VIII, and Richard Burton
Mars in the 10th house is common for police officers & members of the military; if you are not a member of some sort of armed services or an MMA fighter you may very well find yourself having disagreements with superiors or arguments with subordinates. This suggests a possible issue with authority; including but not limited to your relationship with your own Father. Mars is where we exert most of our energy so this placement can suggest a lot of energy is placed in pursuing life goals. Others may see you as aggressive even if that is not your disposition. Remember perception is not always reality.
Some famous people with Mars in the 10th house: John Cena, Kevin Hart, Tyra Banks, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, LeBron James, O.J Simpson, Natalie Wood, and Jessica Lange
Jupiter in the 10th house is a very fortunate aspect that helps you climb the ladder of success by A. being in the right place at the right time and B. knowing the right people who can lead you to the right place. A fortunate aspect in all things career related. It certainly can suggest the Father figure was an Attorney or Politician or imply that the native will chose that career path. Wherever Jupiter is placed we are said to experience good luck; this may suggest career opportunities are plentiful.
Some famous people with Jupiter in the 10th house: Robert Downey Jr., Muhammad Ali, Jessica Simpson, Denzel Washington, Andy Warhol, John McCain, Stephen Curry and Miles Davis
Saturn is at home in the 10th house so if it we were to place it anywhere this would be where. With that being said wherever Saturn is placed we are working off past life karma so this is not a freebie, we have to work hard to overcome a sense of limitation in whatever house holds Saturn. With Saturn in the 10th house the person may experience difficulties or limitations related to the parents. The native may also feel they have to very work hard for everything I see this placement often show up as someone that is either the authority in a chosen profession or a person so overcome by a fear of failure that they do not try for anything. Saturn in an angular house is strong and not for the faint of heart.
Some famous people with Saturn in the 10th house: Leonardo DiCaprio, Miley Cyrus, JFK, Oprah, Al Pacino, Bill Clinton, Paul Newman and Malcolm X
Uranus in the 10th house signifies sudden and unexpected changes in your chosen profession. This is often a person that has many jobs and prefers to be their own boss or make their own hours. This can also suggest a career in technology or something else that is in some capacity futuristic. Relationship with parents particularly the Father figure may be unstable. Others may see you as somehow different than the mainstream collective perhaps labeling you as erratic or unconventional.
Some famous people with Uranus in the 10th house: Jim Carrey, Winona Ryder, Shia Labeouf, Marie Antoinette, Dolly Parton, Erykah Badu, John Legend and Bill Maher
Neptune in the 10th house as I have mentioned in the opening paragraph when a person has Neptune on an angle we are often subject to other individuals projections and the swing is wide. Sinner or Saint. People see us through a lens of extremes. This is a placement where you cannot be dependent on others approval of you. This placement can bring gossip and scandal. We usually have to forge our own way in the world with very little to no parental guidance. Neptune in the 10th brings career confusion; I personally have had 28 jobs. Wherever ever Neptune is in the Natal Chart we are seeking an ideal with it being in the 10th we may seek the perfect life or vocation. This placement is common in Preachers, musicians and actors; Neptune rules glamour, transcendence and imagination.
Some famous people with Neptune in the 10th house: Walt Disney, Princess Diana, Leonardo da Vinci, Bruce Lee, Russell Brand, Ernest Hemingway, Diana Ross and Dennis Rodman
Pluto in the 10th house, Pluto is like Mars on steroids so you may find this placement with police and military officials but unlike Mars Pluto offers rebirth and transformation. Pluto’s placement shows where we die and are reborn and for you that is very likely to be a public affair. When I say public I do not mean fame on a grand scale. You can be famous in your hometown and this may suggest that your metamorphosis is on Front Street. With Pluto in the 10th house you may work in a profession that is in some capacity covert; think CIA. No matter what profession you choose a battle of wills is likely. This is a placement that seeks influence and respect. Pluto in an angular house is strong and can suggest that people either love you or hate you; it is rarely in between. You must watch for dominating others or allowing others to dominate you; power and control issues are likely prominent no matter what your chosen profession. This gives the person a powerful presence.
Some famous people with Pluto in the 10th house: Ariana Grande, Vladamir Putin, Prince, Zendaya, Yoko Ono, David Icke, Stevie Wonder and Oscar Pistorius.
As a sidenote I will always remember Oscar Pistorious for killing his girlfriend. If the Midheaven is what we are known for his Natal Chart is an accurate description of that; with Venus planet of love and Pluto planet of death both conjoined in Scorpio on the 10th house cusp.