Recent research into neuroplasticity, the science of brain growth and change, tells us that creative play leads to the development of new neural pathways. As Jo Boaler, author of Limitless Mind, describes, when we approach any subject or practice with a playful attitude, in which mistakes are welcomed as important steps towards learning, we can learn anything, at any age. I love this approach and its implications for education, as a parent, but I also think it has significant applications for creative practice.
The importance of play in any creative practice has been discussed by many others, including in The Artist’s Way, the classic guide to boosting creativity. However, once we leave childhood behind, opportunities for “play” diminish. No longer can we lose ourselves in elaborate Lego creations, imaginary worlds, or a wild game of tag with friends.
Yet, there is one outpost of adult life that still retains opportunities for creative play, namely hobbies. Hobbies are where adults can try new things “just for fun” (fifth house key word) with no expectation that they become “good” or even proficient. Often, hobbies are things we’re interested in but never had the opportunity to do.
In astrology, hobbies fit naturally in the fifth house, where we find creative expression, anything done for fun and recreation, and children, those natural experts in creativity and play.
Once upon a time, hobbies were considered crucial for a well-balanced life. But, lately, in our late-stage capitalist society, which tries to extract capital from every last thing, hobbyists have been advised to turn their passion into a (dreaded, in my view) “side hustle,” thus transforming it into yet another job. Gone is the idea of doing something for fun or for the intrinsic rewards alone, replaced by the belief that everything we do must produce something of value.
But it’s worthwhile to protect the integrity of hobbies and offer yourself opportunities to learn new things in a safe and pressure-free (and fun!) environment. This is particularly true for people who work in creative fields but also for anyone who loves their career. “If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life” is a popular adage in our work-obsessed culture. But it misses the point that no one part of life — career, relationships, money, family — should take precedence over everything else.
It’s true, however, that the fifth house doesn’t exist in a vacuum. All birth charts tie in the territory of the fifth house into other parts of life, through the ruler of the fifth house, any planets contained in the fifth house itself (which rule other houses, unless they are in their own domicile in the fifth house), and any aspects they make. For some people the fifth house is directly connected to their career, day job, or income.
Say you have the ruler of the second house of income in the fifth house, or the ruler of the fifth house in the tenth house. In these instances, fifth house activities would be part of your income or career/reputation, which would seem to contradict what I’m saying about having a hobby that is solely for yourself and your enjoyment.
For these folks, I suggest actively cultivating an additional hobby or hobbies in which you can experience doing something for its own intrinsic rewards (it’s also true that if you have a fifth house emphasis in your chart you probably don’t need encouragement to go do something for fun!). And if you find that your hobby turns into a job, that’s great! Just make sure you find another hobby.
Hobbies boost creativity in all areas of life, support mental health, and connect us to our common humanity, with all those knitters, back porch musicians, and chain saw sculptors. Take a moment to think of some activity you’ve always wanted to try out but haven’t had the opportunity/time/money/whatever. Now’s the time! I’m going to offer some suggestions based on the types of activities suggested by each fifth house, but please only use these as a jumping off point to your own creativity boosting activities — trapeze, tap dancing, origami, drumming, pottery, or whatever it is!
A few things to keep in mind when looking at the fifth house for answers about creativity and hobbies:
Look at the sign on the fifth whole sign house and locate the ruler of that sign. If Gemini is on the fifth house, for example, the ruler of the fifth house is Mercury. Look at where Mercury is placed in the chart to see what area of life is tied in to the fifth house. This planet, and its nature, will give you a sense of what types of activities you might want to try (writing and communication activities, in this example).
Look at any traditional planets that are in the fifth house and what other houses they rule, if any. If Venus is in the fifth house in Cancer, for example, Venus will be part of the equation, infusing the fifth house with relational and artistic pursuits. But the houses that Venus rules, in this case the Taurus third house and the Libra eighth house (this would be a Pisces rising chart), will also be tied into fifth house activities.
Look at any important chart points (nodes of the moon, a floating IC degree, Lot of Fortune, etc.), outer planets, and asteroids (if you want) and layer them into the analysis. For example, I have the asteroid Ceres, the goddess of the grain and the mother of Persephone in Greek mythology, conjunct my moon in the fifth house. And guess what? One of my hobbies is baking. Pluto is there too, so sometimes I overdo it, such as a three-day croissant-making project/tunnel of obsession I found myself in during the pandemic when I was running around trying to find European butter and then whacking the dough with a rolling pin for the lamination process. . . (anyway the croissants were amazing! Totally worth it!)
So, let’s take a look at some possible hobbies for all rising signs!
Aires Rising (Leo fifth house): With the sun ruling this fifth house, fun means opportunities for Aires rising to shine and express itself. Anything on a stage will do, from acting to music to stand up comedy, as well as displaying their creativity on a canvas or a mannequin for others to see. Creativity is tied up in Aires rising’s “spirit,” since the sun, which represents the spirit and higher mind, rules the fifth house. Activities that connect with the higher self, such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi would also be great hobbies.
Taurus Rising (Virgo fifth house): With Mercury ruling the fifth house, in practical, down-to-earth Virgo, anything to do with words, data, or patterns makes an appealing hobby. Collecting things, whether stamps, coins, posters, or Broadway playbills, would satisfy Taurus rising’s desire to order and sort. But Mercury also rules music, and with Virgo’s cerebral approach, this rising sign might find fun in exploring jazz or conceptual music. Honorable mention: doing anything with the hands is a mercurial pastime, so something earthy, like knitting or wood carving is a natural for Taurus rising.
Gemini Rising (Libra fifth house): With Venus as its fifth house ruler Gemini rising is drawn to the traditional fine arts — art, music, dance, etc. But Libra has a social dynamic, with an emphasis on the other. Ballroom dancing would be a natural fit, as would a duet type of music or singing. Creating beautiful things for others to enjoy, whether through food, such as a dinner party, or a theatrical production would also be a natural Libra fifth house expression. Finally, fashion and interior design also scream Libra fifth house as opportunities to have some fun with color, texture, and line. And Gemini rising can always throw a party — Libra core strategy — to show off its creations!
Cancer Rising (Scorpio fifth house): This Mars-ruled fifth house likes a challenge, and Scorpio, in particular, exists in a constant state of strategizing. Puzzles, mysteries, games of strategy, unravelling true crime online, chess (if you want to go old school), or simply researching something deeply, present opportunities for Cancer rising to act strategically and burrow into a subject for fun. An edge of danger is often a turn-on for Scorpio types, so anything fun happening on the wrong side of town or in a country with a long State Department warning page is right up their alley. Cancer rising may have a mild demeanor but don’t be fooled — combat of any kind, especially when strategy over brute force is desired, is a natural fit, making martial arts, wrestling, fencing, and debate all great options.
Leo Rising (Sagittarius fifth house): With Jupiter ruling Leo rising’s fifth house, look for fun activities that expand the mind and body. This fifth house typifies the armchair philosopher, globetrotting recreational traveler, foodie on the hunt for the perfect banh mi, or wine connoisseur swirling Pinot Noir in a vineyard tasting room (don’t underestimate Jupiter’s joie de vivre superpowers with Sagittarius on the fifth house). This upbeat fifth house type is generally up for trying anything new, at least once, especially if there’s a whiff of adventure or a quest involved. “Learning new things” is also a broad category in which Leo rising can find fun and recreation.
Virgo Rising (Capricorn fifth house): “Build” and “structure” are keywords for this Saturn-ruled fifth house, which wants to do things in the material realm. Making things, whether clay pots, bread, or handmade furniture, is key, as Capricorn has a practical and material bent that needs to see its handiwork. However, this analytical and practical rising sign sometimes struggles to give itself permission to have a hobby in the first place, and Saturn isn’t the most fun-loving planet to have ruling the “fun” house. So, it’s even more crucial for Virgo rising to make a conscious effort to carve out time for a hobby.
Libra Rising (Aquarius fifth house): Similar to Virgo rising, Libra rising has a Saturn-ruled sign on the fifth house. But unlike Capricorn, which likes to see the fruits of its labor (even “fun” labor) in the flesh, Aquarius is a social air sign in which Saturn builds networks and institutions of people. Because of Libra’s artistic bent, this rising sign generally has an artistic practice or interest already as part of its identity. Aquarius’ organizing ability — bringing structure to movements — can produce people whose hobbies are politics or social movements. They do it for fun, because they love it, and not for any renumeration, which qualifies it as a hobby. Politics aside, the general idea of bringing structure and intellectual clarity to the endeavors of groups of people can work out as a hobby in many areas of life.
Scorpio Rising (Pisces fifth house): Intense Mars-ruled Scorpio rising needs a chance to relax as part of their hobbies. Fortunately, their Jupiter-ruled, mellow Pisces fifth house, which prefers lying in a hammock and daydreaming to Sagittarius fifth house’s endless quests, is well-suited to help them de-stress while finding their bliss. Any activity that presents an opportunity to commune with the infinite or expand their mind is a winning hobby. Scorpio rising is also naturally attuned to anything beyond the veil, so to speak, and with Jupiter ruling the fifth house, there is a natural interest in anything spiritual or occult. Developing a spiritual or meditative practice, such as learning to use tarot cards, can fulfill Scorpio rising’s need for going deep while also offering them a break from all the daily battles they wage.
Sagittarius Rising (Aires fifth house): With Mars the ruler of this go-for-broke Aires fifth house, any hobby of Sagittarius rising needs to be challenging, competitive, and representative of their individualist approach to fun. All types of sports or athletic activities, particularly solo pursuits, from bicycling to rock climbing to skateboarding to paragliding, will meet Sagittarius rising’s need to let off steam and have some Evil Knievel-type fun. Ruled by upbeat Jupiter, Sagittarius rising needs a physical outlet to keep its jovial spirits up. Athletic activities, in which we can get into the “zone” and find our flow, help this big picture type keep the big ideas flowing.
Capricorn Rising (Taurus fifth house): Like Gemini rising with its fellow Venus-ruled fifth house, this rising sign will often be drawn to hobbies that reflect a traditional artistic lens. But, with earthy Taurus on the fifth house, the impetus is more material and less social than Libra. Texture and the tactile nature of materials play key roles here, and Capricorn rising may find itself attracted to hobbies involving fabric or textiles of all sorts, along with art forms in which you can get your hands dirty. Gardening and landscape design and anything involving plants or flowers are also natural happy places for this earthy fifth house type. Honorable mention: dance, especially an earthy form like modern dance, and singing, which employs the throat, the part of the body associated with Taurus.
Aquarius Rising (Gemini fifth house): Calling all recreational bards, songwriters, poets, musicians, creative writers, podcasters, and crossword puzzle enthusiasts: do you all have Aquarius rising? With Mercury in charge of your fifth house in the witty sign of Gemini, you may be inclined to any of the activities typically associated with Mercury, particularly in music and writing (or some combination thereof). Social clubs oriented around something mercurial (books, writing, music, songwriting, etc.) are also a great choice as they play into the socializing and intellectual discourse that this air sign type needs. Like fellow Saturn-ruled Capricorn rising, Aquarius rising struggles to let go of the grind and find time for recreation. Furthermore, as a fixed rising sign, Aquarius rising just keeps on going, sometimes unaware that they’re on the burnout express. Making structured (Saturn keyword) time in their schedules for regular exploration of hobbies can provide crucial downtime and stress relief.
Pisces Rising (Cancer fifth house): With the moon ruling their sensitive Cancer fifth house, Pisces rising looks for ways to emotionally connect and nurture through their hobbies. Making things to give to others, whether sewing clothes, cooking food, or sharing playlists of their own uplifting music, fulfills both their need to create and help others. The moon also symbolizes the body and its needs, and Pisces rising has a sponge-like tendency to absorb all the vibes in a room. Therefore, their Cancer-ruled fifth house can also provide inspiration for hobbies that support self-care. Soap or candle making, working with essential oils, or healing practices like massage or yoga can bring a sense of nurturing to the practice of a hobby.
That’s it for this week. Don’t forget to have fun!