What does the 1st house in astrology represent? It is associated with a person's appearance, innate talents, character, and overall quality of life.
N.B.: It is important to note that this is the only house in the horoscope that reflects the character and appearance of the individuals themselves. All other houses describe objects or circumstances surrounding their life.
As I wrote in the article about houses, the 1st house symbolizes:
- The person and their place of being.
- Life in general.
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What does the 1st house mean?
The 1st house in horary astrology
In horary astrology, the 1st house represents the person asking the question, their current or future state, and their place of being.
This can include:
- Health status or the ability to accomplish specific tasks.
- Favorable or unfavorable conditions of life (e.g., being in financial constraints or a safe environment).
- The person's location (their home, a hotel room, or the car they are currently traveling in).
The 1st house in medical astrology
In medical astrology, the 1st house is associated with the head and everything on it, including the upper jaw.
Similar significations to the 1st house are held by:
- The Moon, since it governs the white matter of the brain and the right eye in women.
- The Sun, which governs coordination and overall vitality, and the right eye in men.
- Mercury, which governs cognitive functions of the brain.
- Jupiter and Saturn, which govern the pituitary and hypothalamus. Saturn also governs hearing and teeth.
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The 1st house in natal astrology
In the natal chart, the 1st house indicates life in general, natural talents, and psychological traits (including manners, emotional expression, and innate cognitive characteristics).
In derivative charts, such as solar returns, lunar returns, or transits, its meaning becomes more specific. It can reflect particular episodes of life related to the year's main event, as well as health status during specific periods of life.
Planets in the 1st house
In horary astrology, a planet in the 1st house indicates specific objects related to the person or located close to them.
In medical astrology, it often signifies diseases of organs located on the head (eyes, teeth, nose, ears, brain, hair).
In natal astrology, the meaning of a planet in the 1st house heavily depends on its natural signification, celestial condition, and the house it rules. The Ascendant shows temperament, which is related to medical matters rather than event prediction.
It doesn't matter what temperament a person has—a sanguine or choleric nature does not make the threat of a car accident more or less likely if such a threat comes from the 8th house, especially if the person becomes an accidental victim of someone else's carelessness. Temperament and the element of the Ascendant have the least influence on events.
The Sun in the 1st house
The Sun, by its natural signification, is associated with power, fame, and publicity. Therefore, it brings these meanings to life if it occupies the 1st house. However, its influence heavily depends on the house it rules and its celestial state.
A debilitated Sun (in exile or fall) foretells fame achieved with difficulty or sad notoriety in a particular area. It may indicate:
- Public disgrace abroad if it rules the 9th house.
- Public defeat by an enemy if it rules the 7th house.
- Heart, eye, or brain diseases if it rules the 12th house.
- And so on.
A dignified Sun (in exaltation or its sign) promises fame and recognition. Specifically, it shows:
- Public friends and fame coming through them if it rules the 11th house.
- Success abroad or in science if it rules the 9th house.
- Public speaking before large audiences if it rules the 7th house.
- And so on.
Combining the Sun's meaning, the meaning of the house it rules, and its celestial condition, you can understand what it foretells in the 1st house of the chart.
The Moon in the 1st house
The Moon is the natural ruler of travel and change. In the 1st house, it brings constant variability to life and emotional sensitivity to the person. However, the house it rules and its celestial state determine its specific influence.
A debilitated Moon (in exile or fall) foretells a wandering life. Regarding personal traits, it causes emotional instability. Specifically, it foretells:
- Frequent and unhappy relocations if it rules the 9th house.
- Frequent enemies among women if it rules the 7th house.
- Life in emigration if it rules the 12th house.
- And so on.
A dignified Moon (in exaltation or its sign) promises luck in domestic matters and travel. Specifically, it shows:
- Successful relocations abroad if it rules the 9th house.
- Many children and the happiness they bring if it rules the 5th house.
- A caring mother if it rules the 4th house.
- And so on.
By combining the Moon's natural meaning, the house it rules, and its celestial state, you can understand what the Moon foretells in the 1st house.
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Mercury in the 1st house
According to its natural signification, Mercury symbolizes science and intellect. In the 1st house, it connects life with science in general and gives the person distinctive thinking traits. The house it rules and its celestial condition determine its specific influence.
A debilitated Mercury (in exile or fall) foretells lies, deceit, and denunciations in general. It makes the person deceitful and cunning. Specifically:
- If it rules the 12th house, it foretells secret denunciations, poisonings, or diseases of the nervous system or cognitive brain functions.
- If it rules the 2nd house, it foretells money acquired through deceit.
- If it rules the 7th house, it foretells robberies and manipulations by others.
- And so on, depending on the house.
A dignified Mercury (in exaltation or its sign) promises a life connected to the sciences, excellent speech, and a quick mind. Specifically:
- It promises achievements in the scientific community if it rules the 9th house.
- It promises success in commerce if it rules the 7th or 2nd house.
- And so on.
By combining Mercury's meaning, its celestial condition, and the house it rules, you can understand its influence in the 1st house of the chart.
Venus in the 1st house
Venus in the 1st house gives the person charisma and brings comfort to life in general. However, the house it rules and its celestial condition determine its specific influence in this house.
A debilitated Venus (in exile or fall) in terms of character foretells unhealthy inclinations toward bodily pleasures, and in terms of life in general, it indicates limitations in comfort. Specifically:
- If it rules the 5th house, it indicates a tendency toward promiscuity and frequent visits to dubious establishments.
- If it rules the 12th house, it promises diseases of the urinary or reproductive system.
- If it rules the 8th house, it foretells a mortal threat due to a woman or jealousy.
- If it rules the 7th house, it promises unsuccessful romances or marriages ending in divorce.
A dignified Venus (in exaltation or its sign) in terms of life in general promises comfort and pleasures, and in terms of character, it gives the person charm and an inclination toward the arts. Specifically:
- If it rules the 7th house, it promises a happy marriage.
- If it rules the 5th house, it foretells a life of luxury.
- If it rules the 4th house, it shows a caring and beautiful mother.
- And so on.
By combining Venus's meaning, its celestial condition, and the house it rules, you can fully understand its influence in the 1st house.
Mars in the 1st house
Mars, the planet of violence, in the 1st house, indicates a conflict-prone character and foretells frequent conflicts in life. However, specific circumstances depend on the house it rules and its celestial state.
A debilitated Mars (in exile or fall) foretells threats of violence and makes the person cruel and hot-tempered. Specifically, it foretells:
- A threat of violent death if it rules the 8th house.
- Defeat in court and conflicts if it rules the 7th house.
- Wastefulness or threats of robbery if it rules the 2nd house.
- A threat of car accidents if it rules the 3rd house.
- Acute inflammations or injuries if it rules the 12th house.
- And so on, depending on the house.
A dignified Mars (in exaltation or its sign) gives the person athletic traits and the ability to mobilize but does not protect from conflicts. It foretells:
- Excessive efforts to achieve goals or a militarized profession if it rules the 10th house.
- Victory over enemies if it rules the 7th house.
- Ideological disputes if it rules the 9th house.
- Friends in sports or military-related fields if it rules the 11th house.
- And so on.
By combining Mars's natural meaning, the house it rules, and its celestial condition, you can precisely predict its influence in the 1st house.
Jupiter in the 1st house
Jupiter, the planet of mercy and justice in the 1st house, creates a sense of justice and generosity in the person's character and brings signs of abundance to life in general. However, its influence depends on the house it rules and its celestial condition.
A debilitated Jupiter (in exile or fall) foretells overindulgence in food and consumption. Specifically, it creates:
- A threat of death by court sentence if it rules the 8th house.
- Money coming through unjust or dishonest means if it rules the 2nd house.
- A high position obtained dishonestly and unstable if it rules the 10th house.
- Diseases of Jupiter's nature—lung and liver diseases—if it rules the 12th house.
- And so on, depending on the house it rules.
A dignified Jupiter (in exaltation or its sign) grants high social status and wealth. Specifically, it shows:
- Success in science, law, or receiving a church rank if it rules the 9th house.
- Wealth if it rules the 2nd house.
- A noble lineage or a wealthy father if it rules the 4th house.
- And so on, depending on the house it rules.
By combining Jupiter's meaning, its celestial condition, and the house it rules, you can understand its manifestation in the 1st house.
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Saturn in the 1st house
Saturn, the planet of limitations and illness, in the 1st house gives the person detachment and brings restrictions into life. However, the house it rules and its celestial condition determine specific manifestations.
A debilitated Saturn (in exile or fall) makes the person grumpy and conservative and brings limitations in various areas of life. Specifically, it means:
- Severe illnesses, captivity, or imprisonment if it rules the 12th house.
- Loneliness if it rules the 7th house.
- Financial limitations if it rules the 2nd house.
- Lack of bright entertainment or children born into poverty if it rules the 5th house.
- And so on, depending on the house it rules.
A dignified Saturn (in exaltation or its sign) makes the person pedantic and detached and brings a high degree of structure and adherence to rules into life. Specifically, it shows:
- Considerable money earned through meticulous saving if it rules the 2nd house.
- Gradual and steady career growth if it rules the 10th house.
- Distancing from the public if it rules the 7th house.
- Adherence to norms and dogmas if it rules the 9th house.
- And so on.
By analyzing Saturn's celestial condition, the house it rules, and its natural meaning, you can understand what it foretells in the 1st house.
Where is the 1st house located, and which planet corresponds to it?
In natal astrology, the 1st house is located below the eastern horizon and symbolizes birth and life. The planet associated with this house is the Sun, the significator of life and vitality.
However, if the Sun is not connected to the 1st house, it will not symbolize the person's life and vitality.
Stellium of planets in the 1st house
If several planets are in the 1st house, each will leave a mark on the character and life. At the same time:
- Some planets may foretell unhappy periods of life.
- Others may foretell happy periods.
The greatest influence will be exerted by the planet closest to the cusp of the 1st house (i.e., the Ascendant) or the one that controls other planets by reception, or the Sun—the ruler of life and energy—if it is in the 1st house or rules it.
Important: The Sun does not show a person's consciousness in every horoscope, just as the Moon/Mercury does not always show emotions/thinking style.
In the first part of our course on predictive astrology, we explain in detail why many modern astrological methods do not work and teach you how to make accurate predictions.
