The tenth house represents our ability (or lack thereof) to establish ourselves in and contribute to the outside world: our social image. It rules role models, guides and authority figures that have assisted us in exteriorizing ourselves in the world. Here is our career or profession, the dominant parent who guided us into the world, and our orientation toward society based on his or her example. Here are people in power over us (such as bosses and employers), our honor and reputation, and how we play out these roles in relation to others (our being a father, guide, or disciplinary figure). Planets in the tenth house show by the houses they rule which areas in our life depend on our reputation or professional role for the fulfillment of their needs. Many planets here indicate a need to achieve and be recognized as an important person, a strong father orientation, or to have others dependent on us.

Astronomically speaking, the tenth house is that one-twelfth sector of the local sky counter-clockwise from the Midheaven (see above picture) occupied by planets two hours before they culminate.

With the Sun in the tenth house material ambition and the need for prestige and power are important to you; but the public must benefit in some way if you are to have personal security. Being authoritative and dictatorial come naturally; but you may find that your goals need to include more than your self interest for you to have true inner peace. Very career-oriented, your personal reputation and honor are extremely important. You possess a natural sense of organization and practical insight and excel at managing or supervising others. Politicians, those working in government, and CEO's are found here.

Famous people born about the same time of day as you (Sun in the tenth house) are/were Eddie Albert, Arthur Ashe, Honore de Balzac, Drew Barrymore, Clara Barton, Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles Bronson, Gary Busey, George H. W. Bush, George Carlin, Van Cliburn, Judy Collins, Angela Davis, Albert Einstein, Jerry Falwell, Harrison Ford, David Frost, Jerry Garcia, Paul Gauguin, George Gershwin, Goethe, Tom Hanks, Linda Hunt, Danny Kaye, Billie Jean King, Larry King, Jessica Lange, Paul McCartney, Jim Morrison, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Ram Dass, Burt Reynolds, Condoleezza Rice, Kenny Rogers, Mickey Rooney, Eleanor Roosevelt, Kurt Russell, Meg Ryan, Dinah Shore, Terrance Stamp, Igor Stravinsky, Donald Sutherland, Vincent Van Gogh, John Voight, Natalie Wood and James Woods.

If the Sun is within 12° of the midheaven it is conjunct the tenth house cusp, and much of the foregoing is even more strongly emphasized. If the Sun is in the ninth house AND within 4° or 5° of the midheaven, then it is said to be on the "dark side" of the tenth house, and its influence will be felt in the tenth as well as in the ninth house. The closer a ninth house Sun is to the midheaven, the more it will be interpreted as though it were in the tenth house; when less than 3° from the midheaven, a ninth house Sun expresses itself primarily— and ultimately entirely—through the tenth house.