What Is the First House?
The first house of the horoscope is where your natal chart begins, with each house of your chart containing different celestial bodies and figures that align with their placements at the time of your birth.
Significantly, the first house also holds the sign that was rising on the eastern horizon when you were born. When calculating this, the exact timing of your birth is important, as this indicates the exact degree of your rising sign (also known as your ascendant sign). You can find the “cusp” or beginning of the first house of your birth chart at the nine o’clock position on the chart wheel.
The first
house of your personal horoscope is incredibly significant, astrologically
speaking. It can provide information on how you present yourself to the world. Furthermore,
the first house can influence your physical appearance and affect other
people’s first impressions of you.
Many people also even believe that someone’s first house placements can affect their face, body structure, and overall health.
Related: How to Read Tarot Cards
What Is the Significance of the House of Self?
As mentioned
above, the first house rules your appearance and your personality, the parts of
you that the world sees right away. However, its significance goes far beyond
this. These placements affect how people perceive you, not just in terms of how
you look but the energy you exude. This house shapes the persona that you
project for the rest of the world to see, as well as how you make others feel. It
also rules your immediate surroundings, your home, your “body environment,” and
even your taste in clothes.
In short, the
first house affects both your “true self,” and the version of you that is seen
by everybody else.
The First House and the Rest of Your Chart
While the first house is the house of self, every house rules something different. For instance, the second house affects money matters, while the third describes your neighbors and siblings. The seventh rules intimate partnerships; the tenth house rules your career; and the twelfth house rules how you deal with seclusion and what you do to “get away from it all” — and these are just a few examples of the various meanings associated with the 12 houses in astrology.
The
placements in the rest of your chart, and the receptions and aspects they have
with your first house ruler and planets, tell the whole story of how you
interact with the world. While you can glean some information from your first
house alone, that knowledge is always best understood alongside the context
provided by the other houses in your chart.
Is the Chart Ruler in the First House?
Many people
wonder whether their chart ruler can be found by looking at the first house.
The answer is complicated — sometimes yes, and sometimes no. If the planet that
rules the first house is strong (if it is in a sign that it rules), then
yes, it will probably rule the chart itself.
But if it is
in “fall” (the way that Venus is in Virgo) or in “detriment” (like Mars is when
in Taurus), then it will usually give way to whichever planet in your chart is strongest
based on its sign, house, and aspects.
To explain,
a planet in fall is in the weakest sign for its expression — opposite to its
sign of exaltation. Likewise, a planet in detriment is not feeling at home, and
is in fact very uncomfortable, because it is in a position that is opposite to
the sign it rules.
Understanding “dignity” in your chart is also key to learning about your chart ruler and major influences. Dignity is an astrological term that determines the strength of an individual planet in relation to the horoscope as a whole. Planets are strongest in the signs that they rule and also in their signs of exaltation. It’s also important to distinguish between which planets “rule” the first house, and which are inside it. Both are very important, but they have different effects.
Understanding the Placements of the First House
The planet that rules the first house is shown by the sign that is on its cusp. As mentioned above, this is your ascendant sign. It shows how you present yourself, your personality, and your physical appearance. Planets in the first house, by contrast, modify your activities and behavior, adding more nuance and detail to how you express your rising sign.
Let’s say,
for example, that Venus is in your first house of self, but the ruler of
your first house is actually Saturn. Thanks to Venus, you’ll be charming, tactful,
and gracious, even with Saturn’s influence. However, Saturn will decide how and
with whom you use that charm.
Meanwhile, if Saturn is in your first house but your house ruler is Jupiter, then you will be disciplined and may be more mature than most other people your age. However, thanks to Jupiter’s influence, you’ll probably be a lot more generous and jovial than most other people who have Saturn in their first house.
It’s
important to remember that planets in the first house still operate within the
“domain” of both the sign they tenant and that sign’s planetary ruler. Unless
they’re in the house that they themselves rule, they are simply guests and won’t
have their full agency.
Figuring out your chart ruler can seem tricky, especially if your first house’s placements and ruler are fairly weak. If you’re struggling to identify your chart ruler, an Astrology Psychic can provide the insight you need to figure it out and understand what it means.
Related: The Secrets of Tarot Numerology
Planets in
the First House
Here are some key ways that the different planets can influence people when in their natal first house:
The Sun
With the sun
in or ruling the first house, you seem to shine. You have a powerful
personality and strong opinions. You may also be a little bit self-centered. Additionally,
you’re an independent thinker who likes to maintain a degree of autonomy,
though you don’t mind being in charge at all.
The Moon
With the moon in or ruling your first house, you wear your heart on your sleeve. You can be moody and emotional, and you don’t really care if anyone notices. Additionally, you usually put your most nurturing self forward. You are imaginative, emotionally responsive, and changeable.
Related: The Full Moon Names and Meanings
Venus
With Venus in or ruling the first house, you will probably be charming and sociable. You possess beautiful facial features, and being well-liked is very important to you. Additionally, you tend to dress attractively and enjoy being noticed for it. Your friendships and your social life in general are important to you, and you throw the best parties in the world.
Related: Uranus in Conjunction with Venus
Mercury
Mercury in
or ruling the first house tends to indicate that someone is thoughtful and
talkative. You might think, speak, or write for a living because you are so good
at communicating with others. You love to learn new languages and adore
messaging devices of all kinds. You may live with a phone in your hand, an iPod
in the other, and earbuds in both ears.
Mars
Mars in or
ruling the first house suggests that you are somewhat confrontational and
direct. You have a lot of energy, and you like to use it. A love of sports,
games, and all types of action is a pretty big part of your personality,
especially if some form of competition is involved! You don’t back away from a
challenge, and you’d make a great first responder or member of the military.
Jupiter
Jupiter in
or ruling the first house can indicate that you’re a natural giver, teacher,
and philosopher. You are generous and jovial, and you love to make people
laugh. You see the big picture and hate being pinned down by issues that you
consider trivial. You’re comfortable having wealth, but you also love to see
others reaping the benefits of good fortune!
Saturn
Saturn in or
ruling the first house can make you serious, with a deep love of studiousness
and hard work. You may have melancholy tendencies, and you have a reputation
for being the most responsible and reliable person in any given room. You’re
likely to end up at the top of your professional field because of your work ethic
and willingness to take on responsibility.
Neptune
Having Neptune in or ruling the first house makes you a dreamer. You can put your mystical side forward and become a brilliant psychic or medium. You could also be very creative, and you may need to work on managing your empathy and setting boundaries so that social interactions don’t become draining and uncomfortable. You have remarkable dreams in both your waking and sleep states, and you can go into deep meditation at a moment’s notice.
Uranus
If Uranus is
in or ruling your first house, you are exciting, unpredictable, and original.
You enjoy being shocking and avant-garde. You’re genius at blasting apart old,
tired structures. Sometimes, change hits you personally — and more frequently than
it does other people. You’ve learned to
roll with it and pioneer the change that you’d like to see, in both yourself
and the world.
Pluto
Intense, mysterious, and a little scary: that’s what others might think about you if Pluto is in or ruling your first house. You love to be in a state of continual transformation. This extends to your appearance, personality, emotional life, and physical body. Nothing is too deep or too traumatic for you to face down. You’d make a great detective, surgeon, or therapist.
Related: Tarot Cards for Beginners
Astrology plays an important role in your day-to-day life. The planets are responsible for your moods, experiences and more, which is why you should get a Psychic Astrology Reading. Our Astrology Psychics can calculate your natal chart and tell you about the important dates in your life (past, present, and future) that will massively impact you. Learn more about our psychics from real testimonials and read through our Astrology & Numerology Blog. Want to read more about your personal birth chart first? Get a free birth chart report today! Find an Astrology Psychic or learn more about Astrology Readings.
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