If the planets are the action in a chart, and the signs are how that action is carried out, the houses are where the action takes place: they indicate areas of life, influence, and activity. 

Note that an empty house in a chart—for example, an unoccupied 7th house—does not mean a lack of activity in that area. It’s more true to say that houses that do contain planets will be an area of focus in a life, event chart, or relationship. Yet, of course, every chart—and this especially applies to the natal chart—contains all of the houses (as well as all of the signs!). We are influenced by  all of the themes the houses describe.

Explore the images below to learn about what each house represents.