Thursday, October 28, 2004

Astro me, part 2

The First House is commonly referred to as the House of Self. The cusp of this House is the home of the Ascendant, the Sign which was rising on the eastern horizon at the precise moment of one's birth. By thinking of this in terms of sunrise and new beginnings, one begins to grasp the concepts of the First House. The new beginnings here are centered around the individual: the self and the attendant voyage of discovery which defines a person. This House speaks to the realization of one's ultimate potential. This process of becoming a unique individual is one of the greatest contributions we make to the world in which we live.  The distinct qualities which we possess are often referred to as personality. This House addresses the individual, his or her comportment and approach to life. In other words, the sum total of one's being. This is the package we give to the world. The packaging itself, or our outer being, is also governed by this House -- think the physical body and the way in which we present ourselves, and in particular, the head and face.  Early childhood is also ruled by this House. Everything from our earliest steps to our view of the emerging world is considered here.  It all begins at the beginning and serves to shape us for all time. 

In sum, the First House speaks to the person we are becoming and will become, both internally and externally. It addresses our personality and presentation to the world, our essential qualities, approach to life, demeanor, and basic sensibilities. The inner self and outer body are what this House is all about. Putting our best step forward? You bet!  It is ruled by the Sign Aries and the Planet Mars.

The Second House is commonly referred to as the House of Possessions. While this speaks to that which we own, it's not limited simply to tangible things. We own our feelings and emotions, as well as our inner selves, abilities, needs, and wants. When we "own up" to something, we are in fact claiming ownership of our greatest possession, our self.  Our possessions should enhance our lives and those of others in addition to fostering a general sense of well-being. This brings forth the concept of value which is key to this House.  Specific possessions covered by the Second include earned income and our ability to influence it, investments and moveable property (cars, clothing, jewelry and the like). Debt is also part of the equation here, since we "own" the responsibility to pay our bills. How we view money, the acquisition of wealth (and debt), financial reversals, savings, budgeting, and financial status are all ruled by this House.

For those of us who believe that money will set us free, it's interesting to note that this maxim finds a home in this House. Personal freedoms as established by financial capability and sensibility are addressed within this House. To a great extent, our possessions and what we do with them help to define us as viable human beings. Therefore, the goal implicit in one's possessions could be defined as the ability to use those possessions honestly and to our best advantage and for the greater good. It is ruled by the Sign Taurus and the Planet Venus.

The Third House is commonly referred to as the House of Communication. In this House, much of the communication is going on between the individual and those he or she holds close: brothers, sisters, as well as neighbors. While communication here can be both written and verbal, it also has a conscious quality to it. Think kindred spirits and mental connectedness. This serves to highlight the role of intelligence within this House.  Intelligence, as viewed in this realm, is the analytical ability one possesses within his or her environment, specifically a basic grasp of things and a practical sensibility. We use this intelligence to help us work effectively within our world and with those in it. The Third House reminds us that it's okay to use our conscious skills, as well as a more reflective intelligence, in order to make our way. A symbiotic relationship with those we hold close is also part of the plan. Let's not forget that our minds are powerful, quick, and dexterous. Some things will be well-thought out, others nearly automatic. Maximizing our sum potential is the key.

Early education, effectively teaching us how to think and communicate, is also covered by the Third House, as are short trips.   Harnessing our intelligence and sharing it effectively with others is the essence of the Third House. The questions posed by this House can be answered by listening to that House: think, process, share.   This House is ruled by the Sign Gemini and the Planet Mercury.

The Fourth House is commonly referred to as the House of Home. When we think of home, we think of that place where we put down our roots. We lay our foundation and plant ourselves firmly into the Earth, as it were. One day, we will return to that very same Earth. This House brings things full circle by also addressing old age, endings, and our final resting place.

Much of the emphasis of this House, however, is on the concept of home. By laying down roots, we make a home for ourselves, or more specifically, the self. It's worth noting that in addition to the external home (all the bricks and mortar around us), we have really brought the essential self home. "I'm home." The words themselves have a peaceful ring to them. The self is now centered, grounded, one, and at peace with the Earth. We seek to come home both physically and psychically, for ourselves and for those we love. By creating home, we create a meeting place, a sanctuary, a sacred place for ourselves and for others.  Also important here are family history, cultural and societal norms, and ways of being. All of these are ruled by the Fourth House, as are our ancestry, roots, and heritage. These qualities are brought "home" through us and integrated into the place we call home.  Helping to create the home we make are our parents, for it is they who greatly nurture and shape our being. Therefore, this House can also be thought of as the House of the Mother, the Parent, or the Nurturer. It is ruled by the Sign Cancer and the Moon.

The Fifth House is commonly referred to as the House of Pleasure. Oftentimes, pleasure is the result of a creative act. The simple act of creating is, essentially, giving of oneself and making something -- making another? Yes, the Fifth House does speak to procreation and children, but it also addresses the creation of art and culture. The creative life is one from which we can derive much personal pleasure and self-satisfaction.

Taking this pleasure principle a step further, one can give it a more human face, even two faces. Romance and romantic affairs, both emotional pleasures, are within the realm of the Fifth House. Emotional satisfaction can be gained in many ways, and yet another way addressed by this House is gambling. While this implies a financial risk, it can also be viewed as the willingness to take a risk -- on love, with money, or in life. A gut risk in the hopes of a pleasurable outcome is how the Fifth House sees it. This House is actually quite rich with pleasures since it also lords over fun, games, and hobbies. Life is more than just being or doing, it also includes finding the pleasure in the acts in which we engage.  Children as a source of pleasure are also important in this House. This brings us back to creativity, since through our children, we create an extension of ourselves and then watch it grow. Giving our children all the good we had (and have), and then some, is certainly a pleasurable pursuit. Music, dance, theater, art, science, literature -- these fancies are for them, and for us. Play for the purpose of emotional enrichment and pure pleasure is what this House is all about.  It is ruled by the Sign Leo and the Sun.

The Sixth House is commonly referred to as the House of Health. Implicit in maintaining good health is the ability to cope in the face of adversity, and this theme rings truest in this House. As human beings, we naturally have shortcomings. Crises, illnesses and reversals of fortune are all part of our Earthly trek. How we confront these situations, and deal with the lessons they invariably teach us, helps to define the person we become.

Work and service are central to the Sixth House. The focus here is on employment (employers and employees), training, those who serve us (along with those we serve), and those who depend on us. Keeping ourselves strong throughout these efforts is also important here, which is why this House further focuses on health (good and bad), diet, fitness, and hygiene.  Essential to the work we do in life is the work we do on our self. Duty, responsibility, and personal growth all contribute to the creation of a fully-realized being. We work for others as well as for ourselves; we are at service to those who need us, including our own being. There will be times when crises of health or faith will stand in the way of our best self. At those times, we must endeavor to heal ourselves (again, the focus of this House is on health) so that we can return to the work of realizing our sum potential, of serving our world.

The Sixth House also addresses the daily dailiness of life.  These simple matters keep our engines humming and enable us to do the more important work of our choosing. It's a patchwork quilt: the ability to serve others in health and through work which is both valuable and fulfilling.  It is ruled by the Sign Virgo and the Planet Mercury. 

The Seventh House is commonly referred to as the House of Partnership. With this House, we see a shift away from the self toward another -- a partner. By cooperating with, and relating to, another, we unite for the purpose of achieving something. Purpose is important to this House, the act of accomplishing something great or small for the self, the partnership, and even society as a whole. In uniting with another, we also become a more valuable member of our world: we make a contribution, one small cog in the wheel of life. We have purpose. Cooperation and partnership help to expedite our purpose in life.  Through a partnership, we fill out our essential being. Suddenly, we see ourselves in context. Through a partnership in which we work, play, love, and/or create, we are fully-formed and completed. The other half helps to make us whole. Ultimately, how we relate to others will help to define the success we have as a human being and as a member of humankind.  The Seventh House shows us that partnerships can take many forms: marriage, business relationships, contracts, legalities, negotiations, and agreements. We will cooperate to a greater or lesser extent inthese varied partnerships. The quality of that cooperation, in essence how we relate to the other, is key to this House. There are many reasons for uniting with another. We may choose to fill voids we see in ourselves. We may simply want the company and companionship of another. The partnerships we form say a great deal about ourselves and also serve to teach us much. This House wants us to know that the quality of our partnerships will enhance our lives, make them fuller, more special, and better for everyone.

Tensions within a partnership also serve to teach us lessons. For this reason, the House also focuses on the darker side of our unions. Divorce, lawsuits, and treaties all fall within this House. At its worst, a partnership may create enemies -- and on a more global scale, these rifts can deteriorate into war. It is our reaction to this adversity which will shape the partnerships yet to come.  It is ruled by the Sign Libra and the Planet Venus.

The Eighth House is commonly referred to as the House of Sex. This House delves into relationships -- interactions with another and how certain aspects of those interactions can take on a more communal nature. It speaks to what our relationships will bring us and how we can get the most out of them.  Returning to this House's emphasis on sex, it's important to note that the French refer to an orgasm as "le petit mort" or "the little death." When we reach that exalted state of communion, we leave a little of ourselves behind -- die a small death. One can also choose to view this as growth, a new beginning, the rebirth of the soul, or a gain for the partnership. This House is an equal-opportunity House, placing sex, death, and rebirth on the same level playing field and acknowledging the viability and importance of all three. We will all experience death and rebirth as part of our lives: failed relationships leading to new ones, career changes, a new hairstyle. We are regenerated and reborn with each new phase and should welcome them thusly.

Shared resources also fall within the House: inheritance, alimony, taxes, insurance, support from another. Financial support as well as spiritual, emotional, and physical support are addressed by this House. While our relationships share many of the aforementioned things, they also have their own dynamics and grow from within (wegrow through our sexuality as well as through other more tangible means). That said, much as our relationships are expansive, but they also have certain constraints, many which are placed on them by society. Again, taxes, alimony, and the joint nature of assets come to mind. Yes, with every opportunity we have, we may face a restriction along with it. Once again, death and rebirth.

In keeping with the transformative nature of this House, rituals are highlighted. Every group has its own way of peering in and looking deep into the soul and the past, if only to get a sense of what we truly are.  How we manage our interactions, relationships, and rituals is important to this House -- will we be honest, effective, and responsible? Will the riches generated by our relationships benefit the group (company, humankind) as a whole? Our legacies are key to this House: how we conduct ourselves now and how that will play out for all time.  It is ruled by the Sign Scorpio and the Planets Mars and Pluto.

The Ninth House is commonly referred to as the House of Philosophy. In keeping with that theme, it's our search for meaning which is the focal point here. By virtue of exploring our world, we start to grasp everything that is available to us. It all boils down to understanding: understanding that which we see and feel and probing further in the hopes of realizing true meaning.  Through higher education, we have the hope of understanding concepts and theories which will enhance our world. Whether it's philosophy or psychology, this House reminds us that we are on a voyage of discovery. Along that road, we will come face-to-face with our ideals and further shape the ethics by which we live. Another approach to clearer meaning and understanding of that which we see, and more importantly, that which we do not see, is through religion. Understanding and accepting that which is greater than us, and our world, is key to this House.

Sadly, we might not always be humble in the face of what we have. A concrete understanding of the possibilities in life may well lead to ruthless ambition and greed and an over-expansion of the self. To face these demons most effectively in society, we institute laws. These laws provide for the orderly and positive growth of that society. In much the same way, philosophy and religion help add focus and purpose to a productive society. How members of a society relate, and knowing and respecting the laws by which they live, are core tenets of the Ninth House.

The way in which we expand our inner and outer lives is also addressed by this House. Travel and interaction with other peoples and cultures are a means to this end. Our dreams, those which illustrate our past as well as those which speak to future events, also help to mold our being and our relationships. Taking this a step further, psychics as the bearers of relevant information also come into play. Additionally, this House addresses publishing and multinational ventures such as import/export businesses. This House also has a multi-generational view, taking into account grandchildren as well as in-laws. At the end of the day, however, the Ninth House is best described as philosophically inclined in the search for meaning and truth.  it is ruled by the Sign Sagittarius and the Planet Jupiter.

The Tenth House is commonly referred to as the House of Social Status. It is about the place we have attained in our social (or work/career) grouping and in society as a whole. Think status, the authority it conveys, and consequently, the role we take in our community. It also speaks to any promotions we receive, any fame we may have or will come to have and the types of business and social activities in which we partake. With respect to achievement, this House focuses on how we see ourselves and how the community as a whole sees us (and our efforts). Through this House, we work on manifesting ourselves.  Vocation is important in the Tenth House. Career, professional goals, ambition, and motivation all come into play here. In a more practical context, employers and their rules are covered here, as are any other organizations (specifically the government) which have the ability to rule over us. Along with our life's work comes the challenge of ruling over others, although there will generally be someone who lords over us.  The prestige and social status we accrue by virtue of our careers and vocations can be seen, intangibly, in the form of ego gratification. How we manage this is addressed by the Tenth House. It may be most difficult to tire of financial rewards in our consumerist society; surprisingly, ego massage may growold more quickly.  The question of how we will manage these "gifts," and the status that comes along with them, is important to this House. Not all of us are cut out for grand scale social success or equipped to help society significantly. It's also worth noting that many of our successes are achieved with the aid of society and not in a vacuum.

The relationship of the individual to a group and to society is also highlighted in the Tenth House. To improve things and to make an impact, we must feel a real kinship to the cause; a fervent resolve to change things is necessary. In this way, we will achieve that social status which is truly worthwhile. Lastly, in keeping with its focus on rulers, the Tenth House addresses the father who is generally the more authoritarian parent.  It is ruled by the Sign Capricorn and the Planet Saturn.

The Eleventh House is commonly referred to as the House of Friends. Through our friends, we find strength in numbers -- we see the power of the collective, the group. Groups addressed by this House include clubs, organizations, social groups, networking organizations, and professional associations. The focus here is on the activities we undertake within these groups, how we make a difference, and, as a result, how we grow and actualize our true selves. Further, it's the group, by virtue of its collective strength, which helps to define what we as individuals will do.  As we grow, we have more opportunities and possibilities available to us, and the Eleventh House addresses these. Our interactions and efforts are in keeping with our priorities in life; these interactions have the ability to enhance our lives. A "labor of love?" Yes, in many ways. Through our friends and group activities, we add substance and meaning to our lives and to society.

At times, we may upset the proverbial apple cart, but the sum total of our efforts should be to look at the end result. If that's good, then the process of getting there, for better or for worse, is worthwhile. Lastly, the Eleventh House also governs stepchildren, foster children, and adopted children.  It is ruled by the Sign Aquarius and the Planets Saturn and Uranus.

The Twelfth House is commonly referred to as the House of the Unconscious. The unconscious state can help engender our successes, as well as assist us in coping with our failures. This House might more aptly be called the House of Reckoning, since it is in the Twelfth that we review what we have been (and done) and decide where we go from there. Along with these unconscious musings, we also deliberate on strengths and weaknesses which are hidden from public view.

We can learn much from the unconscious. In its most noble manifestation, we will be prompted to be charitable. If we learn our lessons, both past and present, we are also better equipped to move forward. This House compels us to seek closure in a spiritual way as an aid to positive growth.  The last House of the Zodiac also recognizes that we can feel bound in life -- stuck and confined. For this reason, this House rules jails, hospitals, institutions, asylums, and any space that inhibits freedom. More gloominess in the Twelfth comes in the form of danger, secret enemies, and clandestine affairs. Beware!  While some may decry this House as the garbage bin of the Zodiac, it's really an unfair term. Ultimately, this House is the champion of positive transformations. It is here that we stand on the precipice and determine how we will proceed. By visiting the unconscious and meeting with the past, we begin to glean what the future will bring.  It is ruled by the Sign Pisces and the Planets Jupiter and Neptune.  (All information from Astrology.com)

Now, with all that being copied here....can someone explain mine to me?!  LOL :}

Cat

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nope, I can't. LOL

Anonymous said...

I've always thought that those charts were interesting. Probably takes quite a bit of time and patient efforts to get the finished product. New to your journal and looking forward to another visit in the near future. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm no help....I got too dizzy just looking at the chart!  ~Sieblonde.