What is a Stellium & What Does it Mean in Your Birth Chart?

This post was originally published on Astrology Answers

​There are some configurations in astrology that should be given extra attention, and one of those is a stellium. A stellium refers to when someone has at least three planets in one zodiac sign or house in their birth chart.

There is some debate there, however, as some will only consider if they’re in the same sign and not the house (since they may be in different signs). And some will only consider if the planets involved are actually conjunct (which would place them no more than 10 degrees apart).

It also used to be that a stellium had to have at least four planets, but over time, that was brought down to three, and that’s the standard now in modern astrology (though some still only consider four or more).

We also only consider the 10 major planets at this time: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

What is a Stellium?

Stellium energy, at its core, is concentrated energy. One-third of the planets are located in the same zodiac sign, and that is a lot of attention on one sign.

Whatever that zodiac sign rules gets major attention. When it’s in your birth chart, this means it gets major attention in your life overall and in who you are as a person.

If the stellium doesn’t occur in your Sun sign, the zodiac sign the stellium does occur in may actually feel stronger for you than your Sun sign. You may gravitate more toward the sign of your stellium because it’s so dominant in your natal chart.

Having a stellium in your natal chart can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because your greatest strengths are often found in your stellium, and you can achieve a great deal with whatever the zodiac sign rules.

It’s a curse because this may come at a cost, at the expense of other parts of life. It can give a little bit of tunnel vision, and objectivity is a skill necessary to learn.

It’s like a star professional athlete. Their whole life revolves around winning and succeeding, and they do, but they tend to lack in their personal lives away from their chosen sport.

It becomes important to make sure you’re well-rounded or at least as well-rounded as you can become.

Most stelliums by sign also occur in one natal house. However, they can sometimes span two houses (depending on how far apart they are, where they are in relation to your house cusps, and which house system you’re using). When all of the planets involved are in the same house, this gives concentrated energy to the house as well as the sign.

The areas of life that house rules can be of utmost importance to you, and you can devote a lot of time and attention to them.

Stellium Transits Vs. Stelliums in Birth Charts

Now, what about stellium transits? A stellium transit occurs when three or more of the transit planets are together in the same zodiac sign.

Because this is a stellium of the transit planets, we all experience it at the same time. This has a broader impact and can often signal important current events related to whatever the sign rules.

The Sun, Mercury, and Venus travel closely together in the zodiac, so we have the three of them in one sign pretty often, which makes a stellium of just those three subtle in influence. In transit, we usually pay more attention when it involves one of the slower planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto.

You may have heard all about the Capricorn stellium of 2020, which had Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto together in Capricorn. This was a big deal because all three are slow movers, and this created massive upheaval in the world.

A stellium in your birth chart is for you, personally. It doesn’t impact anyone else— just you. A stellium in transit impacts all of us, often in a subtle way, but as we saw in 2020, sometimes in a huge way.

The Stellium in Your Birth Chart

Let’s review what kind of impact a stellium has on you in your birth chart, first by zodiac sign and then by house location.

Stelliums in the Zodiac Signs

Aries Stellium

Aries is a super Fire sign, so an Aries stellium means you likely have a ton of energy and drive. You can be enthusiastic about everything you do, easily excited, and ready to take the initiative.

You may be impulsive at times, so that is something you have to work on. If you can get control over your energy, you can become an unstoppable force.

Taurus Stellium

Taurus is the grounded sign, so a Taurus stellium means you can stick to what you do to the very end, no matter how long it takes or how hard it is. You can be comfortable with a slow, steady approach and believe you can get there if you just keep going.

You may be stubborn or lazy at times, so those are things you need to address. If you can make sure you don’t become immovable, you can accomplish a lot.

Gemini Stellium

Gemini is the sign of the mind, so a Gemini stellium means you can have a super mind. This may mean you’re smart in a conventional way, but it could instead or in addition to mean you’re quick on your feet, come up with lots of great ideas, and have a way with words.

You may be fickle at times, so learning to contain your focus is likely needed. Once you have control over your mind, you can think your way out of or into anything.

Cancer Stellium

Cancer is the sign of emotions, so a Cancer stellium means you can be extremely supportive, nurturing, and encouraging with others. You can take care of those you love, and can make positive use of what you feel.

You may be sensitive and subjective at times, so learning how to take care of yourself and gain a wider perspective is likely something you need to learn. Once you do, your emotions can fuel you.

Leo Stellium

Leo is a highly creative sign, so a Leo stellium means you’re someone with great creative abilities. You’re likely artistic and quite humorous, and the spotlight finds you no matter where you go.

You may be selfish at times, so making sure you shine a light on others sometimes might be something you have to learn. When you can share the light, you can get even more attention, affection, and praise.

Virgo Stellium

Virgo is the sign of work, so a Virgo stellium means you can get things done. You can be incredibly organized, detailed, productive, structured and keep to your schedule like a pro.

You may be a perfectionist at times, demanding too much of yourself and others, and likely need to learn to take it easy. When you can approach work in a healthy way, you can accomplish even more with ease.

Libra Stellium

Libra is the sign of relationships, so a Libra stellium means you can be amazing when it comes to dealing with others, whether through negotiating, mediating, diplomacy, or partnerships. You may go far with partners, whether personally or professionally.

You may avoid giving attention to yourself though, so prioritizing your relationship with yourself is likely needed. When you have healthy interdependence in your life, you can reach great heights.

Scorpio Stellium

Scorpio is a sign ruling passion, intensity, and research, so a Scorpio stellium means you can have incredible strength and a powerful will. You can get through anything and make anything happen from sheer will, and no one can take you down without a fight.

You may be obsessive at times, though, and it’s key for you to learn how to maintain some emotional distance so you’re not so wrapped up all the time. You may need to undergo a major transformation in your life, and once you do, you can achieve anything you want.

Sagittarius Stellium

Sagittarius rules expansion, so a Sagittarius stellium means you can be open to experiencing life and learning through that experience. You can gain a tremendous amount of wisdom as a result and be respected as a wise teacher.

You may be avoidant at times though, so you do need to learn to control the impulse to run. Once you do, you can channel your optimistic passion into greatness.

Capricorn Stellium

Capricorn rules goals, so a Capricorn stellium means you can be incredibly ambitious. You can craft long-term plans that are realistic and attainable, work hard and in a practical way, and attain success, though this may come later in life after a long time of working hard and smart.

You may be tragically ambitious at times, though, so you need to learn to prioritize your personal life along with your external goals. Once you find that balance, you can make greater progress.

Aquarius Stellium

Aquarius rules the unconventional, so an Aquarius stellium means you can be an icon. You break the rules, make new definitions for the future, and aren’t afraid of change that’s necessary and innovative.

You may be erratic at times, though, so you need to control your impulse to change everything. Having control over that can make you more powerful, and you can create the changes the world needs.

Pisces Stellium

Pisces rules spirituality, so a Pisces stellium means you can be a natural intuitive and empath. You can sense the subtle energies all around us with ease, and you can make use of this to help others and be creative.

You may be easily taken advantage of, though, so you need to learn boundaries. Once you have established healthy boundaries, you can hone your intuition and imagination.

Stelliums in the Astrological Houses

1st House Stellium

The 1st house rules the self, so a 1st house stellium means you seem like someone with a lot of hats. You can be interested in many things, start lots of new projects all of the time, and you can come across as multi-faceted.

You may focus a little too much on yourself though, and need to learn to consider others as well. This can help you control your big personality and put it to good use.

2nd House Stellium

The 2nd house rules money and values, so a 2nd house stellium means you may give extra attention to your finances and to what you value in life. You can have a variety of ways to make money, and your values may be varied yet important.

You may be materialistic at times, though, so you have to learn to value more than money or possessions. Once you do, you can gain more and feel more secure.

3rd House Stellium

The 3rd house rules communication, so a 3rd house stellium means you may give extra attention to learning, teaching, writing, and speaking. Your mind can be very active, and it can be important for you to express yourself openly.

You may be scattered at times, though, and need to learn to control your mind and focus. Once you do, you can use your mental energy and knack for words well.

4th House Stellium

The 4th house rules the home and family, so a 4th house stellium means you prioritize your home and family life. You can strive to make your home a comfortable, nurturing place, and make your family connections strong.

You may struggle with giving too much, though, and need to learn to keep some for yourself. Your natural instinct is to nurture, but you have to remember to nurture yourself too.

5th House Stellium

The 5th house rules who and what you love, so a 5th house stellium means you can focus on the people you love and the things you love to do. You’re likely very creative, affectionate, attractive, and up for fun at all times.

You may struggle with being too self-involved at times, though, and need to learn to give attention to others. This can help your relationships and make you feel more secure.

6th House Stellium

The 6th house rules work, so a 6th house stellium means you can prioritize your work life. You can be productive and efficient, enjoy getting things done, and get recognition for your work.

You may struggle with getting too caught up in it, though, and need to learn to have a life away from work. As you do, you can get more done.

7th House Stellium

The 7th house rules relationships and partnerships, so a 7th house stellium means you can focus on the people in your life. You may work exceptionally well with others, find ways to get everyone on the same page, and be a strong supporter behind someone powerful and successful.

You may have a hard time making yourself a priority, so giving yourself as much care as you give others is likely needed. This can help you feel more fulfilled.

8th House Stellium

The 8th house rules power and strength, so an 8th house stellium means you can attain a tremendous amount of power and control in your life. You can make your way through any troubles and can strengthen yourself as you move along.

You may struggle with being too stuck in the dark, though, and need to learn to let some light in. You may need to undergo a transformation at some point before you find the strength and power within.

9th House Stellium

The 9th house rules higher learning and travel, so a 9th house stellium means you can attain a lot of knowledge in your life, to the point of becoming a great teacher or expert. You can learn from life experiences, and going out into the world can be an adventure for you.

You may struggle with pushing for too much space, though, and need to learn to get up close and personal. This can give you the knowledge you never knew existed.

10th House Stellium

The 10th house rules your goals and ambitions, so a 10th house stellium means you’re likely very goal-oriented and constantly striving to succeed. This is possible over some time, later in life, and it may come with responsibilities, but you can handle them and embrace being an authority figure.

You may struggle with fear of failure, though, so you likely need to learn to keep going no matter what and not be so hard on yourself. Once you learn to get past failure, you can reach greater heights.

11th House Stellium

The 11th house rules your hopes and dreams for the future, so an 11th house stellium means you can be extremely focused on your future, hopeful, and a dreamer. You can embrace change that gets you close to where you dream of, and you can embrace your individuality and the unconventional if it’s needed.

You may struggle with being more present, though, so you likely need to learn to keep your head grounded. Once you do, you can make the progress you’re looking for with your dreams.

12th House Stellium

The 12th house rules the hidden, so a 12th house stellium means you have a great deal of power, purpose, and talent, yet this may be kept hidden from others until you know them well and feel comfortable.

Being open with your abilities can be one of your biggest issues with the 12th house, so you likely need to learn how to open up. You may need to address insecurities, old issues, or karma.

You can take the reins behind the scenes and can be a powerhouse in the background.

Do You Have Any Stelliums?

Now that you know what stelliums are and how they may impact you via your birth chart or via transit, you can start thinking about ways you can make use of your natal stellium, or of a transit stellium.

This is such strong energy, and it’s ready for the taking. It wants to be used, so see how you can use this in a positive way!