The 6th house (Ari / Shatru), known as the house of health & service, governs health, service, competition and the obstacles you overcome. Its natural sign is Virgo and natural lord is Mercury, and in the body it relates to the lower abdomen, intestines, kidneys.
What the 6th House Governs
- Enemies & competition
- Disease & health
- Debts
- Daily work & service
- Obstacles & litigation
Classification
The 6th house is a Dusthana (difficult), Upachaya (growing) house. Dusthana houses, the 6th, 8th and 12th, bring difficulty, but also growth, resilience and, in the 12th, liberation. As an Upachaya (growing) house, results here improve steadily over time, and even malefics tend to prosper.
Strong vs Weak 6th House
When the 6th house and its lord are strong and well-placed, the native enjoys the power to defeat enemies, good health with effort and success in service. When the house lord is weak, afflicted or badly placed, it can indicate chronic illness, mounting debts and strong opposition from rivals. Benefics here strengthen the house, while malefics can stress it unless the house is an Upachaya.