Traditionally Aries is assigned to the first house and all the subsequent signs are placed in the birth chart in a counter clockwise manner. Of course when the natal chart is created each sign is placed in its corrected position or current position, for the hour, day, month and season. But as an exercise lets start with Aries in the first house and see how the signs and houses naturally complement and relate the one another.
1st House
The first house is about you the individual. How one is perceived by others and one's personal authority. It is your resources for relating to the world. Personality, self interest, and ones general perspective of relating to the greater world.
Aries
Aries is a cardinal sign ruled by Mars. Aries is very self-centered and aggressive for self interests. Mars equaling action. Aries in the first house therefore is about personal power and aggression, perhaps excessive egotism. Venus in Aries would or could bring an element of balance to this sign.
Mars: action, represents the kind of applied energy we use to fulfill needs. Driving power to get things done. Asserting oneself and pursuing whatever is considered desirable.
2nd House
The second house is about prospects for financial success and management of money and worldly goods, but most importantly it is about personal resources, intrinsic resources. Saturn that obstructs or constricts would not be a happy planet to encounter in one’s second house. Financial or worldly resources can also impact our view of our own self worth.
Taurus
Taurus, a fixed sign, is forever faithful and persistent, he keeps his hand on the plow through storm and draught. Ruled by Venus he is the steadfast family man, seeking and maintaining unity and providing unfailing support. Mars in Taurus can lead one to aggression, agitation, and selfish control. But suppose Saturn is in Taurus, one might experience confusion, discord, uncertain direction and purpose. Taurus in the 2nd house, un-aspected, or positively aspected would suggest good career, and financial management and progress through life.
Venus: how one needs to relate to others to be fulfilled, ones way of interacting with others. The arts.
3rd House
The third house is about personal communication style, learning and knowledge management. Abilities, hobbies or study interests relate to the third house. Short trips traditionally is a characteristic of the 3rd house. I suppose short trips (conferences, training, meetings….) can add to ones abilities or enhance ones knowledge base.
Gemini
Gemini, a mutable sign, rules the nervous system. Gemini is ruled by Mercury. Mercury is also know to rule the nervous system, mind, communication. This includes areas such as understanding and expressive skill. Gemini well aspects reflects quick wit, intelligent and fluidity of speech. Also Gemini can see both viewpoints. Gemini less than ideal can be verbose, annoying, and irritating. Sometimes Gemini appears to be hypercritical, two (twin) minded, unable to make up one’s “mind”, or to choose a side.
Mercury: represents the way you need to think and communicate in order to fulfill your needs. Mercury suggests one’s way of connecting, how the mind likes to receive and give information.
4th House
The 4th house is with home, family, nurturing parents, or origins. It represents the foundations in our life. Domestic affairs and the setting at the close of life, are also reflected in this house.
Cancer
Astrology has long recognized that Cancer is ruled by the moon. The moon representing maternal power and emotions or emotional support for family and loved ones. The position of the moon in relation to the 4th house and sign Cancer can be really interesting. The constant movement of the moon and it’s waxing and waning have an effect upon all people. Cancer is a water sign. We are born from a watery womb, and over 75% of our physical being is water. In a compatibility study we will look to see where the moon is placed in both charts and how the moon relates to the sun in the charts.
Cancer in the 4th house represents strong protective feelings and effort toward family and loved ones.
The Moon, represents everything that the personality needs in order to be fulfilled. It is the most decisive force in the horoscope
5th House
This house represents our creative and expressive nature. Creative (creation) meaning children; love affairs, children of love, productive results of labors of love.
Leo
Leo is a fixed sign and is ruler of the heart and the sun is the ruler of Leo. The sun giver of life, ruling over Leo, ruler of the heart and love. Leo, brave protector and leader, of the home, or the nation he/she loves. Leo well aspect is kind and loyal. Leo misguided can be arrogant, dictatorial, and ruthless. Forever and actor and at the center of the stage. Astrology would suggest that Leo in the 5th house would be the pioneer, protecting and providing for family and friends.
Sun: life energy. The circle: eternity. Dot: mankind. The Sun symbolizes the core of the personality
6th House
The 6th house represents our health, physically and mentally. Daily work or service traditionally is also seen in the 6th house, and it makes sense when we reflect on how our work affects our mental or physical state. Also related to this house are employees, and food.
Virgo
Virgo is a mutable earth sign. The sign Virgo falls on or about August 23. August and September being the months that we (Northern Hemisphere) reap the harvest. Virgo represents efficiency, industry, serious productive action and domestic interests. Virgo also is know to rule the abdomen. Therefore to fill our tummy well, we need Virgo to be well aspected and directed in our charts. Virgo poorly aspected could lead to anxiety, excessive career zeal or cold self centeredness. Virgo in the 6th house would represent productive employment. Virgo is ruled by Mercury.
7th House
The 7th house is about relationships and the contractual nature of relations or relating. This includes marriage, employment, public and private relationships and the rules that govern the particular relationships. Compatibility or lack of compatibility with the rules of engagement can be seen in this house.
Libra
Libra is a cardinal sign ruled by Venus. Libra, symbolized with the scales of balance, relates nicely to the 7th house. Libra is thoughtful and impartial; just with foresight and guided by the grace and modesty of Venus. Balance in relationships and the rules of the relationship help maintain a pleasant marriage or positive work environment. Libra in the 7th house would have “partnership” as a keyword. Marriage or a committed relationship are the most important partnerships in life. Therefore supporting aspects in the 7th house and/or Libra would be significant in interpretation of charts for compatibility. Often a good working relationship is more than just the emotional angles, it can also be about the practical issues of daily life.
8th House
The 8th house is about the resources and benefits of relationships. Sexual energy and affinity, financial and worldly gains, emotional support, and legacy. Death is also considered in the 8th house.
Scorpio
Scorpio a fixed sign is ruled by Pluto. Scorpio is about passion and Pluto effects the subconscious forces of the physical being. Pluto is a transformer directing the unconscious interests and mysteries of intimacies with passionate Scorpio. Together they can promote the magic of a union, or a destruction course directed by jealousies, rivalries, or betrayal. Saturn in Scorpio can promote excessive passion to the point of destruction or extreme possessiveness. Violent behavior or temper tantrums might also be byproducts of Saturn in this sign. 8th House and Scorpio can be an interesting setting. This would indicate strong, passionate relationships and perhaps an interest in personal transformation and/or death. Of course it is always necessary to assess the entire chart and all the aspects, sign and planetary positions.
Pluto: Extreme, Transformation, effects the subconscious forces of the physical being, empowerment, how much, many, long
9th House
The 9th house symbolized “the big picture”: our philosophy, life time goals, travel in pursuit of truth and wisdom, spiritual outcomes and true perspective. It is the house of dreams and ideals. Neptune in the 9th is especially interesting, offering farsightedness, vision, and perhaps mystical experiences.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is a duel image of half man, and half beast. We as humans are composite creatures. Products of nature and made of earth, yet containing consciousness with great potential and spirit that is difficult to define. Sagittarius is a mutable sign ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter benevolent and embracing forever encouraging Sagittarius to reach the highest potential and send his arrow to the highest star. Sagittarius in the 9th house symbolizes aiming for and reaching the highest reason, truth and meaning possible within our human frame. If Saturn is in Sagittarius and the 9th it would add common sense to ones imaginative wanderings or pursuit of truth.
Jupiter, reward, in the natal chart represents one’s hope for reward. Jupiter represents the capacity for planning and aspiration and also the urge for expansion, growth and improvement.
10th House
The 10th governs social position, including career and community authority or lack of authority in the greater community. The 10th house is said to rule the knees, and I suppose that one’s decline in career or prestige could easily bring one, as in the saying, to one’s knees.
Capricorn
Capricorn is an idea companion to the 10th house. This is a cardinal sign represented by a persistent little goat. The little goat can be imagined as cautiously, prudently, working it’s way up the mountain, patiently seeking success. It’s ruler and companion being Saturn, somewhat self centers, never taking a risk, always leaning toward the cautious decision. It is always interesting to see where Mars, Mercury, Uranus and the Sun place and relate to the 10th house. Consider these keywords: mars:action, Mercury:intelligence and communications, Uranus: change and inventiveness, the Su: lifeforce. If Capricorn is placed in the 10th house of ones natal chart, and if it is well aspected it would suggest potential for substantial career advancement and/or community recognition.
Saturn: necessary controls, efficiency, ambition, need to learn or be taught with Saturn is time, and Internalized control.
11th House
The 11th house the house of friends, acquaintances, associations, community values. It tells us about our need to be loved, and our ability to be receptive to love. It reflects the dreams we have for our community at large. Including such areas as the availability of employment within the community, and social responsibility to our friends, neighbors and greater community.
Aquarius
Aquarius is a fixed sign ruled by Uranus. Uranus is the planet of change allied with altruistic Aquarius. Aquarius at its highest level has an intuitive grasp of the higher needs of others and offers sympathetic support to others leading to change when well aspected with Uranus. The moon, always changing symbolizes restless seeking when placed in Aquarius. Venus, fruitful and sociable draws friends close to us when well aspected in Aquarius. Aquarius in the 11th house is what we, as a culture are waiting for…the age of Aquarius soon to be upon the human race as a whole, will bring a greater sense of community, caring and uplifting change.
Uranus: intensifies, energy, individuates, inventiveness, change
12th House
The 12th house is the last house, the house representing transformation. Ending the old and establishing the new, passage from the present to other worlds or wisdoms. The 12th house can also be the house of sorrow, where one may face the resultant effects of bad behaviors, choices, karma, or neglect. This house can describe our limitations in relating to others, society, and the institutions of society. This house can relate to experiences with hospitals or prisons.
Pisces
Pisces is a mutable sign ruled by Neptune. Neptune rules higher knowledge, acquired through mediumistic, psychic, secret means, higher means such as spiritual insight. Pisces and Neptune both have the element water. Pisces has ruled during the great age of expansion. An age requiring great sea going vessels. Pisces is idealistic suggesting everything is possible, and indeed the world has experienced a great age of industry, development and “know how”. Pisces in the 12th house suggests a serious time of concentration and completing the tasks necessary for change to transpire.
Neptune: the intangibles, the unseen, spiritual, camouflage, deception, illusion. How we “see” things.
Article by Joseph
AstrologybyJoseph@mac.com