Flip through practically any comic book—or watch any Marvel or DC movie—and you’ll find one common theme: regular people who secretly wield extraordinary powers. Take Peter Parker: nerdy high school student by day, Spider Man (with all of the great powers and responsibilities associated) by night. Superheroes aside, the reality is that each one of us have unique, hidden strengths just waiting to be unlocked. Maybe you’re secretly a tenacious salary negotiator, or can wield incredible charm that breaks down even the grouchiest person’s walls.
You can tap into those hidden talents of yours simply by reading the stars—or more specifically, your horoscope. “There are places to look for apparent talents in the chart,” says astrologer Maria Sofia Marmanides. Knowing your sun sign, for example, is often an obvious shorthand for uncovering a person’s likely strengths or personality quirks. (Examples include Capricorn’s well-known ambition and drive to achieve, or Virgo’s meticulousness.)
But if you’re looking for astrological insight into any secret talents or abilities you have you might have—and how to unlock them—you’re going to have to dig a bit deeper in your natal chart. Specifically, Marmanides says, you’ll need to take a trip to your third house.
How your third house influences your hidden power
A quick astrology refresher: There are twelve houses in astrology that each correspond to a different aspect of your life. Each house is ruled by one of the twelve zodiac signs which endows that realm with its unique qualities. Knowing which sign rules each house depends on your specific birth chart, which you can get for free from places like Co-Star or Café Astrology. (You’ll need to know the date, time, and location you were born to get the most accurate chart.)
You can learn a lot about yourself by understanding who rules each house of your chart. But to unlock your unique hidden powers, Marmanides recommends exploring your third house. The third house is a cadent house, which literally means hidden house. “In ancient astrology [the third house] is where the moon thrives and it’s got this lunar magic quality to it, so you would look there to find a hidden quality someone has that they could really tap into that may not be apparent to others or even themselves,” she says. Other themes associated with the third house include neighbors, siblings, and communication.
“[The third house] has this lunar magic quality to it, so you would look there to find a hidden quality someone has that they could really tap into.”—Maria Sofia Marmanides, astrologer
In order to find your third house, you’ll need to know your rising sign. This sign, which is about how others perceive you, rules your first house. Each subsequent house is filled chronologically onward in your chart. Your third house, then, would be two signs ahead on the zodiac from whatever your rising sign is. For example, if you are a Sagittarius rising, Sagittarius rules your first house, so the next sign Capricorn is your second house ruler, and Aquarius is your third house ruler. This order is true no matter when you were born.
If that was too much to follow, simply plug your birth details into a free natal chart generator. Most charts typically generate your houses; if not, just count two signs forward from your rising to determine your third house placement.
Got all that? Great. Read on for Marmanides’ insights into each zodiac sign’s hidden powers, and how to unlock them. Scroll below until you find your rising sign listed, then read on details. You’ll activate your inner superhero in no time!
How to unlock your zodiac sign’s hidden powers, depending on your rising sign
Aries
If you’re an Aries rising, then witty and chatty Gemini (an air sign) is your third house ruler. This placement gives you a natural proclivity for communicating clearly and well, says Marmanides, whether through verbal or written methods. “Your words are very important, almost like the idea that words are magic,” she says. To tap this power, jot down or record your goals, dreams, and desires to manifest them.
Taurus
If your rising sign is Taurus, you have caring and nurturing water sign Cancer ruling your third house. This makes you deeply perceptive. “Cancer’s magic is somebody who can really tap into emotions or feelings, so they have almost psychic-intuitive level vibes,” says Marmanides. Harness this by using what you notice to make better decisions that are supportive of your well-being and goals.
Gemini
Gemini, confident fire sign Leo is your third house ruler, and that means you have a hidden talent for performance. “Geminis have an innate ability to draw people to them, so they’re going to be able to tap into that ability to wow a crowd or command attention,” says Marmanides. Use this power to spotlight your good ideas and accomplishments, or shine a light on someone else’s talents, too.
Cancer
Cancer rising placements have earth sign Virgo ruling their third house, giving you a hidden talent for details. “You’re going to notice things that other people don’t, and you’re able to organize and remember things,” says Marmanides. You also may have a particularly strong memory. Use these traits to be considerate and kind to yourself and others by being organized, and by keeping on top of important details like loved ones’ birthdays, trip plans, and more.
Leo
Leo, with creative Libra as your third house ruler, your hidden power is a talent for art. “Libra is a sign that’s all about aesthetics like art, beauty, and fashion, so tap into that with personal expression,” says Marmanides. Pick whichever outlet allows you to express yourself creatively, whether it’s your personal style or through a hobby like art or music.
Virgo
Virgo, mysterious and deep Scorpio is your third house ruler, says Marmanides. This means you’re great at finding stuff out, and excel at researching and uncovering all there is to know about something or someone. Tap into this skill to do some inner detective work to uncover what you really want and need in all realms of your life.
Libra
Adventurous and wise Sagittarius is your third sign ruler, Libra. The zodiac’s traveler lends you a gift for being open and fair-minded. This trait makes you worldly and wise, and hungry to hear different points of view. “It’s almost like a professorial quality, and you’re open to changing your mind rather than being very dogmatic or rigid,” Marmanides says. Harness this curiosity to further your knowledge pursuits and to deepen your relationships.
Scorpio
If your rising sign is Scorpio, then determined Capricorn rules your third house—giving you a hidden ability to lead and take charge. “When someone needs to take control, they can just get things done, and that’s a huge strength they have based on their third house,” says Marmanides. Make use of this hidden power by growing and strengthening it through practice, such as putting yourself forward when promotions and leadership opportunities arise at work.
Sagittarius
Aquarius is known as the sign of friendship. Its placement as your third house ruler, Sagittarius, means your hidden talent is attracting others to you. This quality makes you a great host or community organizer because you can marshal someone to your cause. “Part of the reason Sagittarius is considered wild and free and always wanting to have a great time is because of that third house being ruled by Aquarius,” says Marmanides. Flex your power by creating opportunities for others to connect over things you care about.
Capricorn
Since your rising sign is in Capricorn, creative and intuitive Pisces rules your third house and lends you its imagination. You certainly know how to turn it on and get things done, but Marmanides says the fish gives you a hidden creativity that you should nurture and tap when it comes to both your work and play. “In order for you to visualize achievement and victory, you’re going to have to tap into that imaginative quality,” she says.
Aquarius
Action-oriented Aries is your third house ruler, Aquarius, and that gives you a hidden power for adventure. Tap into this hard-charging, fire energy when there’s something you want—or think you want but aren’t sure about pursuing—and take a leap. “If an Aquarius is feeling stuck or wanting, I would say tap into your ability to get something started and not think through it,” says Marmanides. “It’s almost like your hidden talent is like an ability to come up with an idea and just go for it.” You may also find that you have a knack for quick and brilliant bursts of inspiration. When those arise, you should purse them.
Pisces
Pisces, grounded and earthy Taurus rules your third house, which unexpectedly lends you a hidden power of practicality. This cuts against the dreamy and sometimes spacey image of your sign, says Marmanides, but there’s a practicality to your thinking that allows you to make your dreams real. “There’s that Piscean quality that has this urge to create and the Taurus part is what’s going to help them actualize it,” she says.
